This meeting marked the fourth step in a series of events that began in Rome and continued through Mozambique and Malawi, with the aim of addressing the growing challenge of drug resistance.

The event brought together government representatives, local and international experts, as well as healthcare workers engaged daily in the battle against HIV. The DREAM Program played a central role in organizing and conducting the meeting, continuing the dialogue initiated in Rome and strengthening cooperation between Africa and Europe.

The Director of the National AIDS Control Program (PNLS) opened the event, welcoming both in-person and online participants. The Director expressed special thanks to the attending authorities, with a particular mention of the Secretary General of Health, representing the Minister of Public Health, and the Minister’s Advisor. The latter introduced the context of the meeting, expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality received during the Rome conference, and emphasized the importance of locally applying the best practices discussed.

The Secretary General of Health praised the initiative of sharing the Rome conference outcomes at the national level, highlighting the importance of these exchanges for improving healthcare practices and strengthening the national health system. He also recognized the DREAM Program as a virtuous model, thanks to the quality and free access to its services, making it a benchmark for the country.

The presentations began with Dr. Susanna Ceffa from the DREAM Program, who provided an overview of the fight against AIDS in Africa after more than twenty years, outlining the new challenges, particularly focusing on HIV resistance to antiretrovirals.

Dr. Julien Neze, head of the DREAM Program in the Democratic Republic of Congo, illustrated the DREAM initiative in Africa, focusing on two key achievements: the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission — no newborns have been born HIV-positive for years in DREAM centers — and the high rate of viral suppression among patients, a testament to the quality and effectiveness of the care provided.

Dr. Felly Ekofo, Deputy Medical Director of PNLS, highlighted the Democratic Republic of Congo’s commitment to fighting HIV, noting that the main challenge is ensuring treatment stability and patient adherence, especially in light of global targets aiming to eliminate HIV by 2030. He acknowledged that achieving the goal of 95% viral suppression remains a significant challenge.

A particularly meaningful moment of the conference was the intervention of Professor Carlo Federico Perno, a virologist at Bambin Gesù Hospital in Rome, who connected from Italy. His extensive expertise on viral resistance offered valuable insights and encouraged all participants to seek concrete solutions to the challenges raised during the meeting.

The conference concluded with a debate on crucial issues such as the management of comorbidities, malnutrition, emerging resistance to Dolutegravir, and hepatitis management — a disease often underestimated but dangerous for HIV patients. The discussion highlighted the importance of addressing these challenges together to ensure comprehensive and sustainable care for people living with HIV, also recognizing DREAM as a key model to cherish in the fight against AIDS.