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449 young adults contracted HIV in 2024 – MOH
(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Health has recorded 449 new cases of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in 2024, with most infections occurring among young adults between the ages of 20 and 29.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the data shows that many young people are not taking adequate preventive measures. “The new infection, we are seeing a lot of people between 20 and 29 who are becoming infected because of not paying attention, probably not using the precautions that are there and so forth,” he explained.
Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.
The minister stated that although the number of new cases has decreased compared to previous years, Dr. Anthony said the figure remains concerning. “The numbers are down. In the past, we used to get many more people becoming infected. The numbers are not alarming, it’s coming down. Even with 449 people last year getting infected, we still feel that that’s too much. So, we are working to bring that down even more. We don’t want to have too many transmissions,” he said.
The minister noted that advancements in treatment now allow people living with HIV to survive much longer, and with proper medication and viral load monitoring, transmission risks can be greatly reduced.
Dr. Anthony also highlighted the ministry’s continued efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission. Although these cases occur at a low rate, he said the goal is to reach zero. “Usually, we see one or two cases of mother-to-child transmission, but we want to reduce that to zero. If during the pregnancy, an HIV mother shows up, and we treat that mother with antiretrovirals (AVs) then the child would be born free of HIV. So, we want to make sure that the mother is virally suppressed during the pregnancy so that the child is not affected. At least that’s our desire,” he stated.
Given the high number of cases among young people, the minister stressed the urgent need for stronger prevention efforts. “The main thing here for new cases is to work on prevention. One, its education, talking to people… making them aware about HIV, how you can get it, and so forth. But two, once people become aware, they ensure that they also practice what they know. Very often, that doesn’t happen. Thirdly, if they believe that they are at risk, because they have multiple partners, then they should be able to come in and get pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which they’re using the tablets and anticipation that if they get infected, then these tablets would work to prevent them from developing HIVs,” the minister said.
He noted that PrEP tablets are available locally and he encouraged persons to use them.
Dr. Anthony further revealed that the Ministry of Health is working to secure long-acting injectable PrEP, which provides protection for up to six months with a single dose. “When you get one injection, that would last for six months. So, you don’t have to drink tablets separately, every day, or every other day. So, we are working on that, but that’s very expensive. But again, it’s, with the injectable, I guess people adhere more to that, because with one injection, it lasts for six months. We are working on partnerships to access it,” he said.
The minister emphasized that the ministry will be intensifying its educational outreach to young people, the age group most affected by rising infections.
His concerns echo a September 2024 report from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), which noted a 14% increase in the proportion of new HIV cases among young people in Guyana. UNAIDS Multi-Country Director, Dr. Richard Amenyah, warned that the slow decline in infections among adolescents and youth remains a major public health issue. “This rising proportion of total HIV incidence among young people which ranges from 14% in Suriname and Guyana to 37% in Barbados, is concerning and warrants further investigation and serious attention, if we are to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” Dr. Amenyah said.
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