Health

Fast-Track To End The AIDS Epidemic

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The world and The Bahamas are on a mission to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Where do we stand with meeting those goals?

Published

1 year ago

November 27, 2022

Kristina Dragovich

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The world and The Bahamas are on a mission to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. With World AIDS Day on December 1st, where do we stand with meeting those goals?

The United Nations fast-track goal to end the AIDS epidemic means getting 95% of people with the virus diagnosed, 95% on medication and 95% of people with the gold-standard of viral suppression – where you wouldn’t be able to detect the virus in a teaspoon of blood.

Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Program for The Bahamas, Dr. Nikkiah Forbes says The Bahamas is making good progress.

The hope is by fast-tracking the aids response, 28 million HIV infections around the world can be diverted between 2015 and 2030. Along with 21 million AIDS-related deaths during the same period.

While Dr. Forbes says the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic had some effect on the local program, it is now back on track.

However, according to the UN AIDS 2022 report, the global AIDS response is under threat, as 4000 people become infected with HIV every day around the world.

The Caribbean region still has the highest HIV prevalence of any region out of Sub-Saharan Africa.

But, The Bahamas is one of six countries in the region that has introduced daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis or prep in national guidelines.

In order to achieve those UN goals, Dr. Forbes says there is still work to be done.

And, that will take the continued dedication and support of key stakeholders including government, civil society, key populations, and private stakeholders.

World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st, with a push to equalize access to essential HIV services for children, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who use drugs, sex workers and prisoners.