Archive for category: HIV/AIDS

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Foreign Aid in Vietnam: Decades of Progress, a Year of Uncertainty

Foreign Aid in VietnamVietnam is one of the developing world’s clearest success stories. Vietnam launched sweeping economic reforms in 1986 and opened itself to deep international engagement, transforming the country from one of the poorest into a dynamic middle-income economy in a single generation. GDP per capita climbed from under $700 in 1986 to nearly $4,500 in 2023, and the extreme poverty rate fell from 14% to under 4% between 2010 and 2023, according to the World Bank. The economy grew roughly 8% in 2025. Much of that progress unfolded alongside foreign aid in Vietnam — and in 2025, a sudden freeze on U.S. assistance showed how fragile those gains can be when they hinge on a single donor.

A Partnership Built Out of War

Foreign aid in Vietnam has touched everything from public health to the unfinished business of the war itself. The United States has been Vietnam’s most prominent aid partner, and its most meaningful contributions addressed the legacy of the war. Since the 1990s, Washington has helped clear unexploded ordnance, clean up Agent Orange contamination and account for missing soldiers.

The American military sprayed vast areas of southern Vietnam with Agent Orange and other herbicides between 1962 and 1971. As many as 4.8 million Vietnamese may have been exposed to the dioxin those chemicals contained, and at least 1 million still live with related health and disability effects, according to the U.S. Institute of Peace. The Vietnam Red Cross estimates that about 150,000 children have been born with birth defects tied to that exposure — including limb deformities, spina bifida, developmental disabilities and other conditions that can leave people unable to walk or live independently, sometimes across two or three generations.

According to the U.S. State Department, the U.S. provided more than $250 million for unexploded ordnance clearance and more than $155 million for disability support in affected provinces between the early 1990s and 2025. The two countries completed a major dioxin cleanup at Da Nang Airbase in 2018 and began remediation at the larger contaminated site at Bien Hoa.

These programs did more than remove poison from the soil. They turned a painful history into a foundation for cooperation, helping the former adversaries normalize relations and, in 2023, establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership — Vietnam’s highest diplomatic designation.

Addressing HIV/AIDS

U.S. aid also propped up public health. About 250,000 Vietnamese live with HIV, and the epidemic has long been concentrated among marginalized groups — including people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men — who often face stigma that keeps them from seeking care. Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), American funding sustained HIV prevention and treatment for tens of thousands of Vietnamese. Vietnam became the first and only country in Asia to receive focused PEPFAR support after the program launched in 2003, and within a decade the U.S. was the largest single donor to the national HIV response. That investment helped Vietnam reach a 99% viral-suppression rate in PEPFAR’s focus provinces and shift most patients onto antiretroviral treatment paid for through domestic health insurance. Most of the country’s pre-exposure prophylaxis clients still rely on PEPFAR support, UNAIDS reported.

The 2025 Freeze

In January 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order pausing nearly all foreign aid, and his administration moved to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). By March, the State Department had announced that most USAID programs would be terminated and the rest folded into the department; the agency effectively ceased operating by mid-2025.

The effects in Vietnam were immediate. Writing in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, two Vietnam specialists documented how the freeze idled more than a thousand deminers, cut off rehabilitation services for tens of thousands of people affected by Agent Orange, and reduced the world’s largest dioxin remediation project to a skeleton crew. In Quang Tri Province, Vietnam’s most contaminated region, over a thousand local demining workers lost their jobs. At Bien Hoa, U.S. diplomats warned of an environmental and public-health catastrophe as dioxin-laced soil sat exposed, ProPublica reported. UNAIDS found that the cuts suspended or terminated HIV and tuberculosis programs, leaving some patients to pay out of pocket.

A Partial Recovery — And a Lasting Lesson

After lobbying from Vietnamese officials and American advocates, funding for most war-legacy projects resumed by late March 2025, and in October the two governments signed a memorandum reaffirming cooperation. But the disruption left a mark. The Georgetown analysts argue that even a brief suspension in the “safest” area of cooperation signaled that any U.S. commitment could fall victim to domestic politics — prompting Vietnam to diversify its partners and giving China fresh evidence to portray Washington as unreliable. Just weeks after the freeze, Reuters reported, Xi Jinping visited Hanoi and signed roughly 45 cooperation agreements.

Foreign aid makes up about 1% of the U.S. federal budget, yet its impact in Vietnam has been enormous. Foreign aid in Vietnam shows both what outside assistance can build and how quickly it can stall: the events of 2025 underscored a simple truth — the gains aid produces are real, but they are not self-sustaining.

– Jen Phan

Jen Phan is based in Hanoi, Vietnam and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Leaders are Responding to HIV/AIDS in Belize

HIV/AIDS in BelizeAs of 2024, Belize has an HIV prevalence rate of 1.6%. The rate is one of the highest of any Latin American country. Discrimination against people living with the disease hinders efforts to minimize the transmission of HIV/AIDS in Belize.

The History of HIV/AIDS in Belize

AIDS first showed up in Belize in 1986 and is one of the leading causes of death for Belizeans. The disease disproportionately affects gay and bisexual men in the country with people between 15-24 years of age being the largest portion of new infection. Only half of the estimated 3,700 people infected with HIV/AIDS in Belize are receiving treatment.

While new infections have declined 29% since 2010, Belizean deaths from AIDS have risen 14%. People of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to contract HIV/AIDS due to their behaviors around health. Factors correlated to poverty such as food scarcity, lack of economic opportunity and homelessness all increase the risk of HIV transmission.

Low socioeconomic status correlates to low access to HIV treatment. Delays to treatment only decrease the chance of patient survival. In Belize, where 19.1% of the population is multidimensionally poor, organizations see the need to address the issue.

The National AIDS Commission of Belize

The National AIDS Commission of Belize’s goals include keeping Belizeans up-to-date on new information about the disease. The organization, established in 2000, drives a national response to HIV/AIDS in Belize.

The organization also educates citizens on how to prevent infection for themselves and others. It mentions factors like drug and alcohol use, vertical transmission and blood contact. The organization’s leaders are high ranking officials in the country. It also has local and regional partners that assist with education and response.

To overcome barriers associated with a response to HIV/AIDS in Belize, the United Nations in the Caribbean prioritizes the following:

  1. Expansion Prevention: Increasing access to testing and treatment is needed to prevent the disease before and after exposure.
  2. Stigma Management: Training healthcare workers to be sensitive to biases creates comfortable environments for patients.
  3. Strong Health Systems: Collecting data to track progress allows improvements to current systems.
  4. Community Empowerment: Putting more resources in community efforts to be inclusive and provide resources helps citizens with HIV. 

Another priority of the response to HIV/AIDS in Belize is eliminating transmission from mother to child. Belize has created a system where mothers are tested for HIV and syphilis two to three times during pregnancy and before birth. If a mother tests positive, treatment is immediately given to prevent transmission. In addition, women can receive care for 18 months after birth.

In 2023, Belize repealed its law that criminalized exposure to HIV and not disclosing it. The law previously punished an individual that “deliberately or recklessly transmits or spreads HIV/AIDS.” The law did not actually require transmission for penalization. 

Looking Ahead

There is some hope in Belize. In 2025, Belizeans took 49,615 HIV/AIDS tests. As a national standard, treatment is available as well as preventive measures like PrEP, PEP and HIVST.

Since 2023, the proportion of diagnosed, treated and suppressed AIDS cases have all risen. While still below the optimal rates, the numbers show that some progress is being made. In Belize, the limited resources make it difficult to overcome the HIV/AIDS epidemic entirely.

– Hayden Randolph

Hayden is based in Columbus, OH, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Ending HIV in the Asia-Pacific

HIV in the Asia-PacificWith an estimated 320,000 new HIV infections expected annually by 2030, accelerating HIV programs in the Asia-Pacific is crucial to ending the epidemic before it worsens.

Asia and the Pacific account for 23% of new HIV infections globally each year. In 2024, about 6.9 million people living with HIV resided in the Asia-Pacific alone. Progress remains uneven in many countries, with some even seeing an increase in HIV incidence. Without proper procedures and resources, HIV will continue to rise in the Asia-Pacific.

Barriers to HIV Response

Several barriers have slowed the response to HIV in the Asia-Pacific, impacting prevention efforts.

  • Political Attention Decline — A lack of awareness leads to constrained funding, misconceptions that HIV is under control and competition with other health efforts, eventually leading to inadequate funding.
  • Unsustainable Funding — Without proper funding, health programs and treatments are not readily available to health care workers. Many economies lack stability, leaving the budget for HIV prevention vulnerable to political shifts and over-reliant on international donors, leading to a fragile structure and an increased risk of funding decline.
  • Legal Barriers — Restrictive laws that clash with public health can deter communities from seeking treatment and testing, weakening their trust in health institutions. These laws can also limit accessibility.
  • Inaccessibility — A lack of access means many patients cannot reach health clinics for treatment due to lack of documentation, migrant status or residency.
  • Gaps and Delays in Treatment — Many patients slip through the cracks, and delays in treatment result in missed opportunities for early diagnosis and care, discouraging individuals and deterring them from returning to clinics for results.

Due to these barriers and challenges, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) launched the “Action Plan to End the HIV Epidemic” (2026-2031) in May 2026 to dissolve these barriers and push toward ending HIV in the Asia-Pacific. This initiative begins by helping countries strengthen political commitments, sustain funding and expand accessibility for HIV prevention to eliminate gaps and delays in treatments and testing.

The Action Plan

The plan brings together 21 economies, including China, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Chile and Southeast Asian economies, to promote financing, growth, collaboration and trading for HIV testing, treatment, awareness and protection policies for more vulnerable communities.

Under the action plan, all APEC economies will adopt a strategy to end the HIV epidemic by 2031. Focused on six pillars, the action plan aims to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 target, expand HIV prevention in the Asia-Pacific and reduce new infections by 90% by the end of the plan.

  • Domestic Funding — Implementing an HIV/AIDS strategy with an economy that sustains its strategy by using domestic funding within its budgets and eliminating the heavy reliance on external partners.
  • Legal and Policy Barriers — Addressing legal policies that restrict access to HIV prevention, testing or services.
  • Expanding Accessibility — All economies will have less than 50% of people at risk of HIV infection by providing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other prevention tools as treatment.
  • Improving HIV Coverage — Implementing domestic policies that allow for HIV self-testing or community-based testing.
  • Providing Swift Treatment of HIV — APEC economies ensure that more than 95% of their population living with HIV receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), access to viral loads and a rapid response after receiving an HIV diagnosis.
  • Pathways for Long-Term HIV Prevention, Testing and Treatment — HIV medicines are covered under public insurance and have received market entry approval.

These six pillars aim to provide solutions to past barriers by offering a roadmap for countries to accelerate progress in treating HIV and AIDS. Described as “the beginning of a new phase” of regional cooperation on HIV by Leonardo Chanqueo, project overseer of the APEC HIV Project, the plan represents a significant step toward ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Hopeful Future

With this plan, the barriers slowing the response to HIV in the Asia-Pacific are addressed and resolved. Though the plan is in its early stages, it represents human collaboration and a unified humanitarian effort, promising a hopeful future for the health of affected individuals and communities.

– Kianna Phosouvanh-Sythong

Kianna is based in Upper Darby, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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HIV/AIDS in Uzbekistan

HIV/AIDS in UzbekistanHIV/AIDS in Uzbekistan remains a growing concern, despite the government’s having made notable progress in upgrading its public health system. According to UNAIDS, 60,000 people are living with HIV in Uzbekistan, with new infections continuing to emerge each year. Expanded testing has helped improve detection rates, but structural problems like stigma and unequal access to healthcare still affect the country’s response. Nevertheless, increased funding for treatment and prevention is driving steady progress.

Overview of HIV/AIDS in Uzbekistan

​HIV/AIDS in Uzbekistan transitioned from an illness with a relatively limited prevalence to a more visible public health issue. Data from UNAIDS indicate that 4,000 people are infected annually. At the same time, improved screening has led to more diagnosed cases, mainly due to better surveillance rather than a rise in transmission. Most cases are transmitted through unprotected sexual contact (79%), with parental transmission as the next most common route (12.7%). Urban areas report more cases, whereas rural regions have greater barriers to testing and treatment. According to the IOM, the epidemic mainly affects vulnerable groups, including migrant workers, which consist 13% of all HIV infected people in Uzbekistan.

Key Challenges

One of the main challenges in addressing HIV/AIDS in Uzbekistan is stigma. Reports from UNAIDS suggest that a significant proportion of the population living with HIV experience social discrimination, which discourages them from seeking help and treatment. Around 80% of surveyed women reported that they experienced discriminatory attitudes. As a result, many cases are diagnosed at later stages, reducing the effectiveness of treatment and prevention measures.

Additionally, awareness is not uniform among different parts of the population. Young people and migrant workers often lack the necessary sexual education, increasing their vulnerability. People between 30-39 years are the largest group among the HIV-positive population, with a 28% proportion. Children are also in a vulnerable situation. According to UNICEF, antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage among children and adolescents has fallen from 89% in 2018 to 73% in 2023. This gap indicates the need for more targeted and inclusive testing and treating strategies.

HIV/AIDS and Poverty in Uzbekistan

HIV/AIDS and poverty in Uzbekistan are strongly intertwined. Despite progress in reducing poverty, low-income families continue to face barriers in accessing healthcare. According to UNAIDS, out-of-pocket healthcare costs can hinder access to HIV testing, treatment and follow-up care. Even with the availability of antiretroviral medications, transportation costs, diagnostic tests and other medical expenses can create additional burdens for people with limited financial resources. Poverty can also increase vulnerability to HIV by limiting access to health information and preventive services. 

Access to healthcare also remains uneven. While antiretroviral therapy is mainly available in major cities, the rural population may face logistical and financial barriers. According to UNAIDS, disparities in healthcare infrastructure continue to affect service quality in remote regions.

As a result, economically disadvantaged individuals are more likely to experience delays in diagnosis and interruptions in treatment, leading to deteriorating health outcomes. Therefore, addressing poverty and access to healthcare is an important part of Uzbekistan’s response to HIV/AIDS.

Efforts and Solutions

​Uzbekistan has expanded its HIV response by adopting national strategies and collaborating with organizations such as UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO). These efforts have improved testing systems and enhanced epidemiological monitoring.

Access to ART has increased in recent years. More than 41,000 people in Uzbekistan were receiving ART in 2024, which is 84.4% of the HIV-positive population, a significant increase from the past few years. ART helps people live longer and reduces the risk of HIV transmission by lowering viral load.

Prevention programs have improved as well. Public campaigns encourage voluntary testing and work to reduce HIV-related stigma. Mobile clinics and community testing now reach more people in rural and underserved areas. Annually, 500,000 people get tested for HIV in Uzbekistan. In 2022, the total number of people tested reached 4 million. 

International funding and technical support have helped expand these programs. Targeted efforts for high-risk groups, such as harm reduction for people who inject drugs, have helped stabilize HIV infection rates.

Conclusion

Although HIV/AIDS remains a serious public health problem in Uzbekistan, the country has made significant progress in expanding testing and treatment services. Partnerships between the government, international organizations and local communities have improved access to healthcare for thousands of people. However, further efforts are needed to combat stigma and healthcare inequities, particularly among low-income populations. By strengthening these initiatives, Uzbekistan can continue to reduce the number of new infections and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.

– Dias Assan

Dias is based in Rome, Italy and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Eliminating HIV in the Bahamas

HIV in the Bahamas HIV in the Bahamas has fluctuated around the 2% marker, making it the highest rate in the Caribbean, due to mother-to-child transmission. Girls and women have a higher rate of living with HIV compared to boys and men. Early prevention efforts from the Bahamian government have caused a decline in rates and have helped ensure treatment is accessible to expectant mothers. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed and certified in April 2026 that the Bahamas has met the elimination criteria.

Meeting the WHO Elimination Criteria

To meet the elimination criteria for HIV, a country must show that pregnant women receive proper treatment and that very few babies are born with HIV. The Bahamas has proved that:

  • The mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV is less than 2%
  • Fewer than five children per 1,000 live births are infected
  • 95% of pregnant women have access to antenatal care, HIV testing and treatment

The Bahamas now joins a group of 12 countries and territories in the Americas certified by the WHO and will continue to maintain its efforts through surveillance and inclusive care for future mothers and their families.

Early Action and Universal Antenatal Care

Beginning in the 1990s, the Bahamas took early action in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) by including screening and testing for HIV as part of routine antenatal care.

Working alongside its health care model, the Bahamas provides universal antenatal care for everyone regardless of economic or social background, supported by a strong laboratory network and testing protocol where women are screened at their antenatal appointments during each trimester.

This extensive data collection allows health care professionals to ensure that treatment remains accessible and free to mothers and to monitor how effective the treatment is in continuing to reduce HIV rates.

Integrated Health Programs and PAHO Partnership

Building on the launch of the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) initiative, through which countries integrated HIV and maternal health services into their health care systems, the Bahamas continued to expand access to its residents in 2010.

Integrated into the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program, the Bahamas coordinates with the National Infectious Disease Programme and oversees the prevention and treatment of HIV. This monitoring ensures continued care and treatment for HIV-positive mothers and exposed infants by providing antiretroviral medicines and other family planning services free of charge.

Looking Ahead

Through sustained surveillance and a commitment to universal health care access, the Bahamas has reduced the risk of HIV transmission and other communicable diseases that pose a risk to health in the Caribbean. Furthermore, its achievement demonstrates that the elimination of mother-to-child HIV transmission is possible and offers a model for other countries working toward the same goal.

– Kianna Phosouvanh-Sythong

Kianna is based in Upper Darby, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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HIV/AIDS in Mali: ARCAD Santé PLUS Makes Care Accessible

HIV/AIDS in MaliHIV/AIDS remains West Africa’s most pressing health challenge. Mali’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate of 1.1% is quite high for West Africa and the country is one of the few African nations where new infections are rising. Mali is both one of the 10 poorest countries in the world where they are on a list of 37 very poor and very indebted countries. It relies heavily on foreign aid. Many Malians struggle to access HIV/AIDS testing and treatment due to stigma and discrimination. Other challenges are difficult access to health facilities and scarcity of follow-up at community level. Yet, amid these challenges, a homegrown organization is working to address HIV/AIDS in Mali, one community at a time.

A Crisis of Access and Awareness

Approximately 62% of Malians living with HIV/AIDS know their status. Among those who test positive in Mali, 56% are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), with 48% on ART achieving viral load suppression. It helps people living with HIV/AIDS stay healthy, live longer and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

On February 28th, the U.S. decided to suspend funding to FHI360, a global nonprofit organization that is based in North Carolina. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Country Office and the Executive Secretary of the High National Council for the Fight against AIDS organized this meeting and made this decision. To this, the Malian government went on to distribute 120 million CFA francs ($212,000) to associations to help them continue their activities and reduce the drawbacks of the suspension.

ARCAD Santé PLUS: A Community-Focused Response

ARCAD Santé PLUS is an NGO founded in 1994 in Bamako. Led by Dr. Aliou Sylla, ARCAD Santé PLUS (formerly ARCAD-SIDA) focuses on community resilience and access to health, providing technical support, community research and advocacy. This is particularly for people living with HIV/AIDS and vulnerable populations.

The services they offer include prevention and care initiatives, including capacity building for community leaders on sexual health and rights. ARCAD Santé PLUS seeks to bring communities together to identify and address their health needs, contributing to a world free of HIV/AIDS.

The organization runs CESAC, otherwise known as the Centre for Listening, Care, Activities and Advice. It originated in 1996 which was Mali’s first dedicated HIV clinic. It receives support from the Global Fund which ARCAD Santé PLUS leads. HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care and programs specifically for children, adolescent girls and women are some of the health services they provide.

More specifically, ARCAD Santé PLUS’ clinics provide prevention kits and PrEP, testing for HIV/AIDS, treatment of opportunistic infections, initiation and monitoring of ARVs, community-based ARV distribution, self-support groups, harm reduction, research and advocacy.

A Major Step Forward in 2024

In March 2024, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (The Global Fund), the government of Mali, ARCAD Santé PLUS and Plan International Mali signed three new €102 worth of grants. These grants support the fight against AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) and strengthening health systems over the 2024-2026 period. 

About 96,600 people will receive HIV/AIDS and TB treatment through grants by 2026 to prevent significant numbers of new HIV/AIDS infections, including mother-to-child transmission.

The grants will also be used to improve testing coverage and success rates, focused on decentralized care for drug-resistant TB between 2023 to 2025. This will scale up prevention activities for hard-to-reach populations and strengthen the capacity of community-focused organizations.

Progress Is Possible

Naturally, the path to ending HIV/AIDS in Mali is not without obstacles. Funding disruptions, conflict and persistent stigma continue to challenge the national response. However, organizations like ARCAD Santé PLUS reflect that community-focused, patient-centered care can make a meaningful difference despite these difficult circumstances. ARCAD Santé PLUS is proof that continued investment in local solutions can fight against HIV/AIDS in Mali.

– Joy Kohol

Joy is based in Muncie, IN, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Treatment Access and Awareness for HIV/AIDS in Guyana

HIV/AIDS in GuyanaIn 2024, 40% fewer people acquired HIV and 54% fewer died from AIDS-related causes than in 2010. Many countries around the world have invested extensively in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with one country making notable progress despite the many obstacles it faces: Guyana.

Guyana is a country in the northeast region of South America, with a population of 878,674 as of 2022, largely centered on and around the Caribbean coastline. It was until the recent discovery of offshore oil reserves one of the poorest countries in South America, a socioeconomic effect which still impacts the country today in regard to government resources and public health.

Medical hospital infrastructure for instance was, until the most recent decade, a costly and difficult expense. Accessing necessary health treatment required a challenging trip to the capital city, Georgetown, often taking more than half a day to complete and having a disproportionate impact on low-income patients in terms of health and accessibility. Here is more information about HIV/AIDS in Guyana and what some are doing to address it.

International and Governmental Efforts

Recent strategic investments by the Government of Guyana, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have helped expand the region’s health care network. These ongoing efforts from international support organizations will, by 2027, open five more “smart” hospitals in the country which will provide far more expansive and high-quality healthcare access than ever before.

Similarly, the Universal Health Voucher Programme (UHVP) was a 2025 initiative by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Health, aimed at improving healthcare service accessibility to all of Guyana’s citizens by providing each member of the public a $10,000 health voucher and reduced costs for valuable medical tests. The current president of Guyana, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, launched the UHVP with the goal of improving Guyanese healthcare and especially through improved health monitoring and early addressing of health conditions.

Critically Affected Populations

Research shows that HIV is still among the leading public health challenges in Guyana and the Caribbean, largely due to the combination of HIV/AIDS solutions lacking full accessibility and awareness in everyday life in Guyana.

There are an estimated 11,000 HIV/AIDS cases in Guyana, a prevalence of 1.5% among the population, and new cases have risen by 19% since 2010. This is compared to the global average of HIV/AIDS, which among adults aged 15–49 sits at around 0.7%, or less than half of Guyana’s HIV impact.

In 2017, the Global Fund approved an HIV grant of $4,539,985 to the Guyana Ministry of Health, lasting from the beginning of 2018 to the end of 2020. The proposed grant program targeted an epidemic of diverse and vulnerable populations, those being “men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers, transgender people, miners and loggers,” according to the Global Fund Technical Review Panel (TRP). The program worked to assess and implement a coordinated variety of strategies to address these populations and treat any and all HIV/AIDS cases more broadly, building upon recent efforts by Guyana on aiding key populations and with the goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS and addressing detrimental social and economic impacts the epidemic creates.

Eliminating HIV/AIDS in Guyana

Guyana has made significant progress in its efforts to eliminate HIV/AIDS, though has not managed to meet its optimistic 95-95-95 targets completely. These goals mean for 95% of persons living with HIV to know their disease status, for 95% of persons with HIV/AIDS to have active treatment, and for 95% on treatment to have viral suppression aid. As of the National AIDS Programme 2023 Annual Report, Guyana has reported 94%, 72%,and 87% respectively, showing substantial improvement from a decade prior but without the 95% benchmarks being met which would signal an effective and complete eradication of the epidemic.

However, HIV infections are certainly not yet a settled case in the country. The year 2024 saw almost 500 new HIV infections recorded, with many of them being preventable, according to Guyana’s Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony. Guyana provides free nationwide testing and treatment services for HIV/AIDS, which is why this increase is so hard to explain by conventional resource explanations.

Studies assessing young people’s knowledge of HIV/AIDS and their views on sexual behavior and contraceptives in Guyana may help explain why. Almost a quarter of teenagers ages 12-14 years old were sexually active, jumping to more than one-third of teenagers for ages 15 or older. Just two out of every five of these groups utilized condoms and other measures, reflecting attitudes toward HIV/AIDS prevention affected by a lack of public knowledge and importance due to age and educational and religious teaching on these contraceptives. Guyanese cases ages 15-24 accounted for 14% of the 580 new HIV/AIDS infections recorded in 2023, and HIV prevalence for the age group rose from 0.2% to 0.3%, suggesting the problem is increasing despite measures being taken.

Actions by the Guyanese Ministry of Health

Rates of HIV/AIDS have stayed constant throughout the country as well, suggesting that the increased health accessibility reforms by Guyana’s government have not had the intended effect in the country. The Government of Guyana already funds every test, HIV tablet, ARV and viral load test, in contrast to most other developing countries which tend to rely on international financing for HIV/AIDS healthcare support.

The Government of Guyana additionally introduced PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) pills in 2019 through the Ministry of Health and the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), pills which are highly effective in treatment for HIV/AIDS, but which have been largely ineffective due to a lack of public awareness. Research shows that PrEP awareness in Guyana exists largely through media sources, whereas PrEP access is significantly less commonly prescribed by a health care provider. 

Many are concerned about limited access, side effects, and inadequate provider engagement in PrEP and other HIV/AIDS treatments, illustrating a lack of success in providing sufficient awareness efforts by the Guyanese government. However, more than half of the research participants also expressed a willingness to use PrEP, and more than three-quarters expressed a willingness to recommend it to their peers.

Final Thoughts

HIV/AIDS efforts in Guyana have been moderately successful, particularly in expanding healthcare access and treatment potential. Continued problems exist with spreading accurate information and reducing the systemic barriers present to current health care inaccessibility in Guyana, yet greater provider training, routine PrEP integration into medical spaces and targeted community outreach to improve public perception and access can combat it.

– Matthew Hecomovich

Matthew is based in Davis, CA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Addressing HIV/AIDS in Bahrain

HIV/AIDS in BahrainAs a country with a mix of Islamic and Western influences, Bahrain finds itself in a unique position. This blend is a result of a large migration of foreign nationals into the country. More than half of the country’s population is made up of foreign nationals. 

HIV/AIDS in Bahrain

According to a report, 237 cases of HIV were recorded in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Transmission through sexual contact was more common in foreign nationals, accounting for 45.7% of cases, while drug abuse was the predominant cause for Bahraini citizens, making up 38.8% of cases of HIV/AIDS in Bahrain.

There is also a large, underreported sex trafficking industry in Bahrain. While sex workers exist in almost every country, their legality in some nations makes it easier to do HIV testing. However, in a country like Bahrain, where sex work is illegal, and authorities arrest women for participating in sex work, it becomes rather difficult. 

Currently, sex workers receive testing for HIV/AIDS in Bahrain only after authorities arrest them, which means that there is probably a huge number of untested HIV-positive individuals. Additionally, there might be many sex workers who do not receive testing out of fear of arrest, and many people who have contracted the disease without knowing it.

Public Attitudes About HIV

According to a study that Janahi et al conducted, which includes the knowledge, risk perceptions and attitudes of 1,038 Bahraini adults, misconceptions towards HIV do exist in the region. 

About 60% support patient isolation and 52.4% see HIV as a divine punishment. Meanwhile, 84.4% of people believe that religion plays a role in limiting the spread of disease. These misconceptions require attention to create a society that makes people less hesitant to get HIV testing, as people fear their family and friends shunning them just for being HIV positive.

A report by the Journal of Bahrain Medical Society states that “The HIV-related stigma and discrimination in the health care sector has not been studied in Bahrain, most probably due to the low prevalence of HIV and AIDS in our country.”

Efforts That Bahrain is Making

The National AIDs Programme, which has been a GCC-sponsored health initiative since 1987, provides free antiretroviral therapy, which is commonly known as ART, for patients who are recorded as positive with HIV. Before the National AIDs Programme, the government did not have a central plan to combat AIDs as there was no approved drug back then. Treatment back then mostly relied on palliative and supportive care. The free therapy has seen success with 68% receiving free healthcare in the year 2021, a notable increase from 33% in the year 2015. However, Bahrain must make efforts to create a population that is ready to undergo HIV testing, to make steady improvements in the crisis.  

The Free ART treatments has been a success with many patients receiving free healthcare, and this is the reason why HIV/AIDs in Bahrain doesn’t lead to poverty. The Kingdom of Bahrain also claims that the global definition of global poverty does not apply to the country, as there are no people living below the poverty line, but a United Nations report ranks Bahrain third in poverty among GCC countries, making one doubt everything the country claims.

Concluding Thoughts

Public attitudes and laws make it difficult to record and diagnose cases. However, the National AIDs programme has been successful in treating patients, although more progress is needed to address widespread ignorance.

– Adil Sayyad

Adil is based in Mumbai, India and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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5 Facts About the Fight Against HIV/AIDS in Suriname

HIV/AIDS in SurinameLocated on South America’s Northern coast, the small country of Suriname holds a diverse population. While its public health landscape faces challenges in 2026, the country has emerged a regional leader in integrated care, bridging the gap between remote interior communities and urban centers. According to the World Bank, almost 26% of the population lives below the poverty line. These rates increase in the more interior regions with limited basic infrastructure.

Poverty is often a driver that increases vulnerability to HIV/AIDS infection, simultaneously creating significant barriers to accessing treatment. Despite this, the fight against HIV/AIDS in Suriname continues, with the understanding that social stigma can be as much a hurdle as access to medical care.

1. Expansion of Treatment Coverage

A steady growth in antiretroviral therapy (ART) access turns the tide of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Suriname. According to UNAIDS, it allows the treatment coverage rate to reach 70% of people living with the condition in Suriname by 2026.

Data from the HIV/AIDS Industry Outlook indicates the treatment coverage by the nation achieves an average year on year increase of 1.6 points. Continuing on this path upwards, the Ministry of Health has reaffirmed the commitment to meet the UNAIDS global targets for HIV care through decentralized testing and community based clinics.

2. Progress in Pediatric Health

In 2026, the HIV/AIDS prevalence rate for those aged 10-14 is expected to drop to 60 people, an 8% decrease compared to 2021 according to the Suriname HIV/AIDS Industry Outlook. Since 1995, the rate has had a staggering 13.1% year-on-year decline in pediatric prevalence. Health experts have attributed this success to the integration of prenatal HIV screening and improved preventions of mother to child transmissions (PMTCT) services.

3. Community-Led Support Systems

Poverty often acts as a barrier for those in rural Suriname. Treatment requires consistent clinical visits and access to pharmacies, and limited household income can make the cost of travel to centers prohibitive. The fight against HIV/AIDS in Suriname continues in community-led organizations like the Double Positive Foundation. The provision of psycho-social care and “peer buddy” support, and ensuring treatment reaches impoverished populations is led by advocates such as Ethel Pengel. 

This acts as a beacon of light within socioeconomic barriers such as family rejection and social stigma. Walking beside young women and girls ensures that they remain in the healthcare system following a diagnosis.

4. State-Sponsored Medication Access

The Suriname Ministry of Health has provided HIV inhibitors at no cost to patients since February 2005. It sustains this through a financial partnership with the Global Fund, a worldwide partnership providing 26% of all international financing for HIV programs. In 2026, “person-centered care” is at the forefront of medical health; ensuring the treatment of other chronic conditions alongside HIV.

5. The 95-95-95 Path to Recovery

The recovery of Suriname relies on reaching the UNAIDS global targets: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive ART, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression. 

Looking Ahead

While funding remains a challenge, Suriname is ensuring regional Caribbean partnerships to maintain a steady supply of biomedical interventions. By prioritizing long-acting preventions, HIV/AIDS no longer defines this nation’s future. 

– Celine Dib

Celine is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Lenacapavir’s Introduction in Zimbabwe

Lenacapavir’s Introduction in Zimbabw Zimbabwe’s Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic has been among the most severe globally, shaped by decades of social, economic and structural pressures. At the turn of the 21st century, the country faced one of the highest HIV prevalence rates worldwide, with an estimated 1.3 million people living with the virus. The epidemic has strained families, eroded the workforce and pushed public health services to their limits. Although sustained national efforts and global partnerships have driven major progress, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Global AIDS Update 2022 warns that prevention gains are now faltering, with inequalities continuing to fuel new infections in high-burden countries.

Lenacapavir’s Introduction in Zimbabwe

In February 2026, Zimbabwe became one of the first countries in Africa to introduce Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable HIV-prevention drug developed by Gilead Sciences. Administered only twice a year, Lenacapavir’s introduction in Zimbabwe marks a major milestone in the region’s response to HIV. The rollout positions Zimbabwe at the forefront of next-generation prevention strategies, offering a discreet and highly effective alternative to daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Health officials and global health bodies have welcomed the introduction. Zimbabwe’s Health Minister Douglas Mombeshora described Lenacapavir as a new approach, noting that it offers a less complicated method compared with daily oral PrEP.

While daily oral PrEP has been available for years, its impact has been limited by stigma, partner suspicion, unpredictable schedules and social scrutiny. A survey conducted by The Lancet found that 51% of participants held discriminatory attitudes toward HIV and reported shame of association.

A discreet biannual injection removes many of these barriers. As one early recipient explained, clients often misinterpreted PrEP pills as HIV treatment, leading to stigma and lost income, a challenge that the injection avoids.

Constance Mukoloka, one of the first recipients, said the injection makes her “feel safe” and able to “work with confidence,” explaining that daily PrEP pills often created tension with clients and were difficult to take consistently.

A Tool for High-Risk Groups

Lenacapavir’s introduction in Zimbabwe is significant for vulnerable communities, particularly adolescent girls, young women, sex workers and other high-risk groups who face disproportionate vulnerability to new infections. Its introduction signals a shift in HIV prevention strategy, particularly in regions where incidence remains high despite decades of progress. Early evidence from large-scale trials shows that more than 99% of participants remained HIV negative while on the twice-yearly regimen, underscoring its potential to overcome adherence challenges that have previously undermined daily oral PrEP uptake.

Although national HIV prevalence has declined significantly over the past two decades, women and girls continue to bear a disproportionate share of new infections, driven by structural inequalities, gender-based violence and economic precarity.

The rollout has also sparked public debate, as some community voices celebrate the new treatment while others raise concerns about access, affordability and the need for transparent communication to build trust in long-acting biomedical prevention. As global partners such as the U.S. government and the Global Fund frame this as a landmark in innovation and health system strengthening, Zimbabwe may become a critical test case for how long-acting PrEP can be scaled equitably across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Early Evidence and Implementation

Early pilot programs indicate that Lenacapavir’s introduction in Zimbabwe has seen strong uptake, with clinics reporting that the simplified regimen is easier to manage, reduces drop-off rates and integrates smoothly into existing reproductive health services. These findings mirror broader regional trends, as early adopters across Africa have seen strong interest in Lenacapavir even before full national rollout. Public health experts argue that the injection could significantly reduce new infections if scaled nationally, especially in rural areas where clinic visits are infrequent and transport costs are high. Several states are already exploring similar pathways.

Looking Ahead

Zimbabwe’s decision to move early on long-acting PrEP signals a broader shift in global health leadership. Rather than waiting for donor-driven adoption cycles, the country is asserting itself as a regional pioneer in HIV-prevention innovation. The rollout is supported by partnerships including the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, but Zimbabwe’s strong HIV-response infrastructure, having already met the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, has enabled rapid integration of the new technology.

In a region where HIV remains a leading cause of mortality, the introduction of a discreet, effective and user-friendly prevention tool represents a meaningful step forward. It offers new autonomy to individuals who face stigma or safety risks when using visible prevention methods, strengthens health system efficiency and demonstrates African leadership in adopting public health technologies.

– Max Kenway

Max is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr