New cases of persons infected with HIV for the first half of 2025 is 24.
Acting Deputy Aids Program Manager at the Aids Secretariat Oswald Hannays was sharing some of the data during a recent media interview on state media.
Hannays explained that depending on the overall number of persons who come to do testing the figures will reflect either that dip or increase.
Oswald Hannays
For instance, back in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, there were 25 documented cases.
“However, in the following year, when things started to relax and persons started to access testing more readily, we saw that number move from 29 to 51 cases and then in 2022, we saw a drop again and we dropped by at least 10 cases.
“We went down to 42 in 2022. In 2023, we went to 49. So, we have this little seesaw and that had to do also with the number of persons testing because the more persons test, the more likely you are to get more numbers. Because of course, we know for every one person that is infected, there are at least two to three persons that have not been tested and may be at risk with the infection.
“Then of course, for last year, 2024, we had 47 cases,” Hannays explained.
Hannays is still encouraging persons to get tested. He assured residents that their privacy and confidentiality will be maintained.
If there is a case where that does not occur and persons have evidence of any such wrongdoing there are penalties officers can be administered with for breaching that trust.
“Our goal is that everybody should and I keep emphasizing for every interview,everyone should endeavour to understand their HIV status, irrespective of your sexual preferences something we don’t want to talk about, still taboo, but we have to talk about it because we have same-sex relationships and so, we want to ensure that every vulnerable person in society and every person in the general population is able to access those services because I’m saying pride sometimes prevents us from accessing services,” Hannays said.
“Sometimes the way you are greeted and treated when you go to an establishment may prevent you from wanting to access those services. So, all those things have to be carefully looked at and I’m assuring the general public when you come, you’re going to be coming into a welcoming environment where when you access the testing, you will be provided with counseling, pre-test counselling. That pre-test counseling ensures that it prepares you, it helps you to understand the process of testing, how the results are going to be interpreted and then at the end of the result, when the result is being issued,you’ll be carried through the post-test counselling which again is to help to develop a risk reduction plan that will ensure that you remain negative over the course of your life,” Hannays added.
Hannays advised that the notion that testing is only for persons who live a reckless life is not true. He is urging everyone who is sexually active to get tested and know your status.
Can you imagine the amount of cases that are still out there. Sleeping with everybody? Hmmmmmm
Wow. HIV . I wonder how many will be added fo this considering carnival and bare sex was rampant
These are the cases that we know about. What about people who refuse to get tested or has it and dont know
People are not dying from HIV again so i guess this is why we are so complecent about it
As a healthcare worker, these numbers are concerning but not surprising. Twenty-four new HIV cases in just six months tells us that people are still engaging in risky behaviour, and that stigma may still be keeping others from getting tested earlier. The key is not just treatment after diagnosis, but prevention, education, and making testing routine.
We need to remind the public that HIV is no longer a death sentence with proper care, people live long, healthy lives. But early detection makes all the difference. I would strongly encourage everyone, especially those who are sexually active, to get tested regularly and know their status
We seem to be trending downwards so that’s showing signs of improvement and that’s good. More people are taking heed
That’s why you don’t have sex everywhere, know who you’re giving yourself to
Do we ever really know
Majority are auntyman. Alot of. Nasty business
This article makes me wanna go get tested especially since I had sex with a random chick not too long ago
Stigma still prevents many from seeking help
You don’t have to be sleeping around to get HIV this notion that you are promiscuous is nonsense. Your partner could go out and have unprotected sex and ban you get infected. Do we think that people that sleep around dont have sense to know what the dangers are.