Health Centre Predicts 14,321 Cases Of HIV This Year

Source: Vientiane Times

Based on statistical data to date, the National Centre for HIV/AIDs and Sexually-Transmitted Infections (STI) expects to identify more than 14,000 people with HIV this year, with most cases expected to occur in Savannakhet province.

The Centre estimates there will be 2,140 HIV infections in Savannakhet, followed by 1,810 in Vientiane, 1,530 in Champassak province, 953 in Luang Prabang province, 925 in Vientiane province, and 188 in Xaysomboun province.

In 2023, the Centre expects to identify 14,698 HIV infections, with most again occurring in Savannakhet province and involving 2,196 people, followed by 1,858 people in Vientiane, 1,571 people in Champassak province, and 193 people in Xaysomboun province.

The figures were presented at a meeting on Wednesday chaired by the Director of the National Centre for HIV/AIDs and STI, Dr Phouthone Southalack.

Dr Phouthone said Laos must implement the 95-95-95 strategy to effectively curb the spread of AIDS by 2025.

This ambitious strategy aims to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 by achieving 95 percent diagnosis of all people living with HIV, having 95 percent of those diagnosed on antiretroviral therapy, and ensuring HIV suppression among 95 percent of people being treated.

According to HIV data and statistics provided by the World Health Organisation, there were 37,700,000 people living with HIV in 2020.

In that year, 1,500,000 people were newly infected with HIV, 680,000 people died of HIV-related causes, and 73 percent of people living with HIV received antiretroviral therapy.