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Page 2 of 2 Editorial

In a pilot study conducted on 40 Egyptian patients attending statistical analysis. H.W. and R.M. prepared the final
one of the clinics affiliated to Kasr Al-Aini HIV and Viral version. All authors revised and approved the final version
1
Hepatitis Fighting Group , the six-item Morisky Medication of the article.
Adherence Scale was administered twice using a standard
8
telephone script, first in mid-March and then in mid-August. Ethical consideration
The number of PLHIV with high motivation and high
knowledge was significantly higher in mid-August (36 vs. 27 This article followed all ethical standards for research
and 36 vs. 28, respectively, p < 0.001). Multi-month dispensing without direct contact with human or animal subjects.
because of COVID-19 pandemic was the most commonly
reported factor (90%) amongst those with high motivation. Funding information

It would be fair to conclude that it is necessary to move towards This research received no specific grant from any funding
MMD for medically stable patients on ART, whilst managing agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
the stock and supply line, in order to save healthcare service
costs and improve patients’ adherence and retention in care. Data availability statement
Data analysed in this study are available if needed for
Multi-month dispensing can be provided through revision without disclosing the confidential details of our
community-based models of care that require the engagement patients.
of community health workers, common in rural parts of
Egypt, who provide peer support to patients and help
improve their adherence, retention and viral suppression. Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of
Besides, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or
implementation of telemedicine in many countries, but not position of any affiliated agency of the authors.
so much in Egypt. The use of telemedicine services for HIV
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prevention and management represents an innovative and a
possibly more effective way of providing HIV services and References
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https://doi.org/10.1071/SH18125
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1.Kasr Al-Aini HIV and Viral Hepatitis Fighting Group is a group of clinical leads in the
field of infectious diseases at Cairo University Hospitals, working in collaboration with 9. Khorshid M, Bakheet N, Abdallah S, Essam M, Cordie, A. COVID-19: A strong call
different Egyptian universities to provide high-quality care to people living with HIV for remote medicine in IBD. J Dig Dis. 2020;21(10):597–599. https://doi.
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http://www.sajhivmed.org.za 121 Open Access