Over 9,000 Rwandans tested positive for HIV in one year
The data shows that out of 681,934 women tested voluntarily, 5,518 were diagnosed with HIV, while among 429,666 men tested, 3,752 were found to be HIV-positive.
NISR statistics further indicate that among 37,158 people under the age of 15 tested, 225 were diagnosed with HIV. Meanwhile, 380,371 individuals aged between 15 and 24 were tested, with 1,602 found to be HIV-positive.
For those aged above 25 years, 694,071 were tested, and 7,443 were found to be living with HIV.
In the Eastern Province, 289,015 individuals were tested voluntarily, with 2,675 diagnosed with HIV. In the Western Province, 237,897 were tested, and 1,431 were found to be HIV-positive.
In the Northern Province, 143,435 individuals were tested, with 810 found to have HIV, while in the Southern Province, 206,557 people were tested, and 1,543 tested positive. In Kigali City, 234,696 individuals were tested, with 2,811 diagnosed with HIV.
The statistics indicate that among adults living with HIV, 36.7% of men are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to 63.3% of women.
For children, 52.5% of girls living with HIV are on ART, compared to 47.5% of boys.
NISR also reports that among 74,437 couples who voluntarily tested for HIV, 2,458 couples were found to have one partner living with the virus while the other was HIV-negative.
In 2022, 1,173,010 people were tested, and 8,507 were found to have HIV, with 3,404 men and 5,103 women diagnosed.
Data from the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) indicates that across the country, over 220,000 people are on antiretroviral therapy, with 95% adhering to treatment and 90% showing significant improvement in reducing the virus’s severity.
However, HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of death, with the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, stating in December 2024 that of the approximately 100 people who die daily in Rwanda, seven succumb to HIV/AIDS-related complications, often due to late diagnosis or fear of stigma.
Significant progress has been made in combating mother-to-child transmission, which decreased from 2% in previous years to 0.9% in 2024.
The statistics also show that sex workers remain at high risk, with 35% living with HIV. This number has decreased slightly over the past decade, as it was 50% ten years ago.
ND
