By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter D.S.
Sierra Leone is grappling with a significant public health challenge, as recent data from the National AIDS Secretariat reveals approximately 81,000 people currently living with HIV in the country. Alarmingly, more than 22,000 of these individuals are not receiving the essential antiretroviral therapy needed for their survival.
The national HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 stands at 1.7 percent, with urban areas experiencing a higher rate of 2.3 percent compared to 1.2 percent in rural regions. Disparities within key populations are particularly concerning: female sex workers report a prevalence of 11.8 percent, while men who have sex with men and people who inject drugs face rates of 3.2 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively. Incarcerated individuals are also notably affected, with a prevalence rate of 3.7 percent.
Women are disproportionately impacted by the epidemic, exhibiting a prevalence rate of 2.2 percent compared to 1.1 percent among men. Health officials attribute this gender gap to various social and economic vulnerabilities.
While UNAIDS data indicates that 95 percent of individuals living with HIV are aware of their status and roughly 90 percent are receiving treatment, national program statistics reveal a more troubling situation. Approximately 76 percent of those infected are aware of their status, and treatment coverage is relatively high; however, only 45 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression—a critical measure of effective care.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported around 1,200 HIV-related deaths in Sierra Leone in 2023 alone. Currently, about 61,773 adults are receiving treatment. Despite some progress, health officials stress that the country has not yet met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, which aim for 95 percent of all people living with HIV to know their status, 95 percent of diagnosed individuals to be on treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment to achieve viral suppression.
Civil society organizations are calling on the government to enhance community testing initiatives, address pervasive stigma, and close treatment gaps for high-risk populations. Experts warn that without decisive action, Sierra Leone risks further entrenching its HIV epidemic and compromising the health outcomes of its citizens.
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