Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony announced on Friday that Guyana is anticipating a decline in new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections this year. Currently, nearly 7,800 individuals living with HIV are on antiretroviral treatment (ARVs), with the majority achieving viral suppression.
During a session considering the Ministry of Health’s 2026 estimates and expenditures, Member of Parliament Natasha Singh-Lewis questioned the targeted reduction in HIV incidence for 2026 and inquired about the interventions supporting this projection.
Key Interventions Highlighted
Dr. Anthony explained that “HIV incidence” refers to the number of new cases recorded annually and noted that the ministry has strengthened its prevention efforts through various programs. He mentioned several key initiatives:
Public Education Campaigns: Ongoing campaigns aim to raise awareness about HIV prevention.
Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Availability of PrEP for individuals at risk of contracting HIV.
Condom Distribution: The ministry distributes nearly five million condoms annually as part of its national prevention strategy.
A significant component of their initiative focuses on ensuring that individuals living with HIV receive treatment and achieve viral suppression, which greatly reduces transmission risks. Dr. Anthony stated, “If you manage people who already are infected with HIV, and you get them to be virally suppressed, it means that they cannot transmit to somebody else.”
Progress and Future Outlook
Dr. Anthony revealed that most patients on ARVs are now living longer, healthier lives. He noted that the ministry has procured laboratory equipment for viral load testing, enhancing the monitoring of patients receiving treatment.
To improve access to services in remote regions such as Regions One, Eight, and Nine, primary healthcare physicians have been trained to manage HIV cases, decreasing reliance on centralized systems. Complex cases are referred to specialists as needed.
Dr. Anthony emphasized the transformation in perception and treatment of HIV, stating, “Before, HIV was like a death sentence… Now we don’t see that.”
Additionally, the ministry’s HIV program is being used as a gateway to test for and treat other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
In summary, the health minister conveyed optimism regarding the projections while underscoring the need for ongoing vigilance in the fight against HIV.
