Health Officials Say The Bahamas Records Decline in HIV Infections

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – The Bahamas is continuing its push to end HIV as a public health threat, with health officials using Regional Testing Day to encourage more people to learn their status.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness says while the country is making significant progress, early testing, prevention and treatment remain key to reducing new infections.

A nearly 70 percent decline in new HIV infections over the past 15 years. That’s the progress health officials are celebrating as The Bahamas continues working toward the United Nations goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

According to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the country recorded 142 new HIV diagnoses in 2025, while achieving an estimated 69 percent reduction in new infections compared with 2010, one of the strongest declines in the Caribbean.

Director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme, Dr. Nikkiah Forbes, says that progress is the result of years of sustained public health efforts.

Dr. Nikkiah Forbes – Director, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme

“These initiatives are very, very impactful. They’ve allowed tens of thousands of people to get to know their HIV status. In 2025, we tested about 347 people for HIV during the Regional Testing Day month of June alone.”

Regional Testing Day is one of those initiatives.

Held annually since 1997, the event offers free HIV and STI testing, health screenings, immunizations and education, while encouraging Bahamians to know their status and access care early.

Dr. Forbes says those efforts are helping the country move closer to the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

Dr. Nikkiah Forbes – Director, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme

“We do monitor the HIV epidemic from the start of the HIV epidemic, and so we do have some targets. We are in solidarity with the United Nations platform on HIV and AIDS, UNAIDS Fast-Track to End AIDS, and that looks at diagnosing as many people living with HIV as possible.”

To make those services even more accessible, the ministry has expanded locations where patients can collect HIV medication and recently launched the new Be Smart Status mobile app.

Dr. Nikkiah Forbes – Director, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme

“The app is available on the App Store and on the Play Store. It’s free of cost. In that app, there’s a directory of where persons can get HIV testing and counseling nationwide. There are 269 sites where persons can access that information. The app also includes information on providers offering HIV counseling, prescribing antiretroviral therapy and dispensing antiretroviral therapy. It’s equipped with information on HIV self-testing, HIV PrEP, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, and includes a self-assessment sexual health risk assessment tool.”

And for those who may be concerned about their privacy when getting tested or receiving treatment, there are safeguards in place to protect confidentiality.

Dr. Nikkiah Forbes – Director, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme

“We hold confidentiality as a very, very high priority. All of our staff at the center have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and we take allegations of breaches of confidentiality very, very seriously. There’s recourse when those things happen, and accountability when those things happen.”