21,002 estimated Gambians living with HIV

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By Pa Modou Cham
Sheriff Badjie, assistant program manager and viral hepatitis focal point at national AIDS control program has explained that 21,002 estimated Gambians are living with HIV and AIDS; only 37% know their HIV status and 7,288 on treatment as end of September 2018, while others continue to receive psychosocial support.

These were revealed at a press conference held at National AIDS Secretarial (NAS) in preparation of the world AIDS day.

He said that the national response on HIV continues to make tremendous strides to curb the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

“HIV prevalence remains relatively low at 1.9% and 1.8% according to the Demographic Health Survey 2013 and National Sentinel Studies, 2017 respectively,” he said.

He pointed that the national HIV response is faced with numerous challenges such as high demand for HIV services and reduced funding which is mainly donor driven.

He calls on the government to take ownership of the national HIV response to sustain the already registered gains.

The United Nation AIDS country director Ms. Sirra Horeja Ndow calls on citizens to assemble on December 1st at paradise suite hotel, in recognition of world AIDS day to know their status.

She further stated that knowing your HIV status has many advantages, saying it is an essential entry point to HIV treatment, prevention, and care and support services. She added that people who test Positive for HIV should be linked immediately to antiretroviral therapy to keep them alive and well, and when viral role suppression is reached, it prevent transmission of the virus.

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