Eritrea reduces HIV/AIDS prevalence rate by 71%

Regional HIV/AIDS Prevalence rate - Eritrea stands at 0.6% 

Eritrea reduces HIV/AIDS prevalence rate by 71%

As countries commemorate the 25th annual observance of World AIDS Day tomorrow, I thought it would be a good time to briefly look back at a few of Eritrea's achievements in combating HIV/AIDS.

Ten years ago, Eritrea's HIV prevalence rate was 2% and there were 1,900 new infections annually. In 2013, prevalence is 0.6% and less than 550 new cases, according to the World Health Organization.

This impressive decline also means Eritrea is on track to achieve UN MDG 2, which consists of fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases by the target date of December 31, 2015.

Moreover, Dr. Mismay Gebrehiwet, an adviser to the Ministry of Health, disclosed last year that Eritrea started producing its own antiviral drugs to combat HIV/AIDs and will provide the drug free of charge.

"The government is committed to provide the drug free of charge to all HIV infected persons." Said Dr. Gebrehiwet, in an interview with ERI-TV.

All in all, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with its partners (UNAIDS, WHO), have done a exceptional job in the health sector in general and combating HIV/AIDS in particular.


Related reading: HIV/AIDS in Eritrea

Global HIV/AIDS prevalence rate 

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