Officials From NAS, UNAIDs And Action Aid The Gambia
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Program Manager for the National AIDS Control Program at the Ministry of Health announced that the 2023 sentinel surveillance found that 1.3% of The Gambia’s population is living with HIV. He shared this data during a press conference on Friday, hosted by the National AIDS Secretariat at their Kairaba Avenue office, in preparation for World AIDS Day 2024.
The purpose of the press conference was to inform the public about the upcoming World AIDS Day observance, taking place on December 1, 2024, under the theme, “Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right.” This theme emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all people, everywhere, have the right to quality healthcare services in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The Program Manager explained that the national sentinel surveillance was conducted among pregnant women at 12 sites across the country. Although the overall HIV prevalence in the population is relatively low, the data from 2023 indicates that 1.3% of the population is HIV positive. The study, which focused on antenatal women, is seen as representative of the general population, as male partners are involved in nearly all pregnancies. This translates to an estimated 26,000 people living with HIV in The Gambia.
“Coming down to our country we did a national sentinel surveillance among pregnant women in 12 size across the country, and the prevalence is relatively low but the prevalence show in 2023, 1.3 % of our population are HIV positive. This study is done among antenatal women, and for antenatal women they are the representative of the general population because in any pregnancy there most be a male partner. So we can say 1.3% which is equal too almost to over 26, 000 people living with HIV/ aids in the country,”he said.
Regional variations in HIV prevalence were also observed, with Basse in the Upper River Region (URR) having the highest rate at 2.0%, followed by Bansang and Brikama at 1.0%.Regarding progress on global HIV targets, the Program Manager discussed the country’s performance against the “three 95s” goals. In 2023, nearly 60% of the 26,000 people living with HIV had been diagnosed. For those diagnosed, 65% had begun treatment, and 61% had achieved viral suppression. However, the country did not meet the target for any of the three indicators.
“We were able to achieve 60 percent out of the 95 and for the second 95,which is actually putting those people who are already been identified on treatment we were able to achieve 65 percent and for the third 95 which is talking about those who are put on treatment should be virally suppresses we were able to achieved 61 percent. So in all this three 95’s we are talking about, we were unable to meet the target,”he said.
The Program Manager also highlighted several initiatives to strengthen The Gambia’s HIV response, including the establishment of 24 antiretroviral treatment centers and 85 prevention of mother-to-child transmission sites nationwide. These efforts are aimed at improving access to HIV services across the country.
Looking forward, he stressed the need for continued advocacy for policies that ensure access to HIV prevention, treatment, and care for all. He also called for greater support for frontline health workers to enhance the quality of HIV services.
Globally, HIV remains a significant public health issue, having claimed an estimated 42.3 million lives to date. Of the 39.9 million people living with HIV worldwide, 65% reside in the African region.
Alpha Khan, Director of the National AIDS Secretariat, addressed journalists, emphasizing that the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging global leaders and citizens to champion the right to health by addressing the inequalities that hinder progress in the fight against AIDS. He stressed that ending AIDS requires reaching all populations affected by or at risk of HIV, including men who have sex with men, transgender individuals, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and prisoners.
Khan also pointed out that people living with HIV often face the dual burden of the disease and the stigma associated with it. He called for continued efforts to challenge stigma and discrimination, which remain significant barriers to accessing HIV care and achieving universal health coverage.
While scientific advances have led to the development of effective antiretroviral treatments that suppress the virus, Khan noted that new infections still occur each year, and many people remain unaware of how to protect themselves from HIV. He reiterated that stigma and discrimination continue to affect many people living with HIV.
Mam Kumba Ndow, HIV/AIDS Project Manager at ActionAid The Gambia, explained that the failure to reach the first “95” target—identifying people living with HIV—has hindered progress toward achieving the second and third targets related to treatment and viral suppression. She emphasized the importance of focusing on at-risk populations for better outreach.
Sierra Horeja Ndow, UNAIDS Country Director, stressed the importance of gender equality in the fight against HIV. She noted that in 2023, 570 young women and girls between the ages of 15 and 24 acquired HIV across 22 countries in West and Central Africa. Young women in this age group are three times more likely to be living with HIV than their male peers. Ndow called for better education and information for girls to help them stay safe, highlighting that tackling discrimination and violence against girls is both a human rights and health emergency.
Officials from the Ministry of Health emphasized the significance of World AIDS Day as an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the HIV response, raise awareness about ongoing challenges, and mobilize all stakeholders to intensify efforts to meet the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. The observance will also honor those lost to the epidemic and continue to serve as a call to action toward a future where HIV is no longer a public health threat.