Kathmandu: The 37th World AIDS Day is being observed today with a series of public awareness programs organized throughout the country. The theme for this year’s observance is “Take the rights path: My health, my right!” which underscores the importance of health rights in combating the spread of HIV.
According to National News Agency Nepal, these awareness initiatives are spearheaded by the National AIDS and Sexual Disease Control Centre. Dr. Sarbesh Sharma, the Director of the Centre, reported a significant decline in HIV transmission rates, noting a 91 percent decrease by 2023. Since 2010, a 39 percent drop in HIV transmission has been recorded, alongside a halving of deaths caused by the disease.
Despite global efforts to curb the spread of HIV, some countries, including Afghanistan, Egypt, Fiji, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Papua New Guinea, have experienced a 100 percent increase in HIV transmission from 2010 to 2023. In contrast, Nepal has successfully reduced HIV spread by 75 percent, joining
other successful countries like Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.
Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized the need to focus on reaching all individuals living with, at risk for, or affected by HIV. This includes marginalized groups such as men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, sex workers, and those in prisons and similar settings, along with their partners.