Guyana achieves UNAIDS 1st 95-95-95 target – Health Minister

Guyana’s battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic has been gaining international recognition as the country emerges as one of the leaders in the fight against this deadly virus.
In a bid to combat the HIV scourge globally, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) launched the 95-95-95 targets in 2024 aimed at diagnosing 95 per cent of all HIV-positive individuals, providing antiretroviral therapy for 95 per cent of those infected and achieving viral suppression for 95 per cent by 2030.
On Tuesday during the Health Ministry’s year-end press briefing, Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony highlighted that the country has made a remarkable achievement in the fight against the disease last year.
According to the Minister in 2024, Guyana had achieved the first UNAIDS 95-95-95 target with a total of 95 per cent of persons living with the disease knowing their status.

“We’ve also been making significant progress in infectious diseases in terms of HIV… For this year we have 95 per cent of persons knowing their status and that’s the UNAIDS objective to have at least 95 per cent of persons with HIV Knowing their status.”
On this point, the Minister noted that significant progress has also been made on antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression targets.
“In terms of those persons who know their status and are on treatment that has now increased to at least 75 per cent so we still have a percentage where we need to work on people coming in to get treatment. Of those who are on treatment, we have 41 per cent of them are virally suppressed meaning that they cannot transmit the infection.”
Additionally, the Minister noted that the Ministry has also improved prevention and testing measures for citizens. He revealed that persons now have access to Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) which is a medication that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV.
“We have introduced some new things which include PrEP. So if somebody believes that they are at risk for HIV then they can use these medications and prevent themselves from getting HIV”
Previously, this drug was only available to “serodiscordant couples” (a couple where one person has HIV and the other does not). In 2024 alone, more than 30,000 patients have had access to PrEP treatment, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to control the virus.

As it relates to testing, the Health Minister revealed that, in a bid to get more persons tested the Ministry has introduced self-test kits.
“We have also introduced something called self-testing. You can obtain those kits from us; you can now pick up a kit and test yourself and if you’re positive then you come into us.”
Meanwhile, Recent reports indicate that Guyana has achieved one of the lowest rates of new infections, particularly among its youth. This success is an important example for other nations in the Caribbean and around the world.
The impressive strides made by Guyana were underscored by the Programme Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Tariq Jagnarine. Dr Jagnarine responded to a report published last September by the United Nations (UN) and Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which suggested that a significant spike in HIV infections among young people, aged 15 to 24, had occurred.
According to the report, this age group accounted for 28 per cent of new HIV infections in 2023, while the Caribbean region overall contributed to 27 per cent of the 15,000 new infections reported.
However, Dr Jagnarine refuted these claims, pointing out that Guyana, along with Suriname, had some of the lowest HIV rates among its youth. He clarified that the report’s findings were based on erroneous data, which failed to accurately reflect the situation in these countries.
According to Dr Jagnarine, the apparent rise in infections was not a trend seen in Guyana, which has been making significant progress in reducing new cases of HIV among young people. He emphasised that Guyana remains focused on its vulnerable youth population and continues to work diligently to ensure the prevention and treatment of HIV in this group.
While HIV rates among young people in the Caribbean remain a serious concern, Guyana’s success is a direct result of the country’s ongoing commitment to a comprehensive national HIV strategy.