Yes, this is true in Africa. Having one of at least a dozen diseases qualifies you as an AIDS victim, because these diseases are officially side-effects of AIDS. Usually they lack the means to perform tests for HIV.
Good point. It's intriguing that - under the Bangui definition - the typical symptoms for (for instance) tuberculosis – fever, weight loss and coughing – are officially considered to be AIDs, and not TB. It's a uniquely modern miracle, like the equally wondrous theory of Global Warming. The putative HIV virus may be ravaging Africa but hey! it's curing TB!