The project has been ongoing since October 2020, clinical activities started in June and August 2021 in Cameroon and Senegal respectively. As for community activities, although not yet started, community mobilization officers have worked to identify new associations, beyond those already known in the HIV response. They will be presented as we progress in the project. Nevertheless, we begin our 'chronicle' from the second year, which should bring us to full speed in the planned activities.

During the months of October and November 2021, we spared no effort for the smooth running of the project. Moreover, we are pleased to announce that the project was officially launched in both countries during these last months.

VIHeillir in Cameroon

The launch ceremony of the VIHeillir project in Cameroon was held on October 14, 2021 under the chairmanship of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE) of Cameroon. It was an opportunity to present the project to the fifty participants from the Cameroonian government, partners and the twenty or so media who came to take part in this event.

After the introductory remarks aimed at highlighting the project, the Secretary General of MINSANTE officially launched the project in Cameroon during a speech in which he stated: 'the elderly are among the most disadvantaged social groups. This population segment suffers from increased vulnerability, the frequency of certain diseases and reduced cognitive abilities.' The VIHeillir project thus presents itself in Cameroon as a solution to this situation that affects society and whose neglect could negatively impact the future of Africa.

The official launch of the VIHeillir project took place on Friday, November 19, 2021 at the CNLS under the chairmanship of Dr Safiatou THIAM, Executive Secretary of the CNLS, and in the presence of Pr Cheikh TIDIANE NDOUR, Director of DLSI, Caroline COMITI, representative of the French Embassy, Dr Karim DIOP, Secretary General of CRCF, Pr Bara NDIAYE, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of UCAD, Dr Bernard TAVERNE, North Coordinator of the ANRS site, Pr Mamadou COUMÉ, geriatrician and coordinator of the VIHeillir project in Senegal. In addition to these personalities, also present were the National Agency for Universal Health Coverage (ANACMU), NGOs such as Enda-Senegal, staff from the project care sites (HMO, CTA, CRCF), associations that participated in the training and the project team. The event was covered by the Senegalese press.

During the ceremony, Pr Mamadou COUME discussed the challenges of aging and the challenges to be met. The VIHeillir and Grand Age projects were presented respectively by Dr El Hadji BARA DIOP (project manager) and Dr Bernard Taverne.