Ouagadougou: In the last decade, Burkina Faso has made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, marked by a significant decrease in new infections, mortality, and prevalence in the general population, announced Dr. Seydou Ouattara, Permanent Secretary of the National Council for the Fight against AIDS and STIs (SP/CNLS-IST), on Wednesday.
According to Burkina Information Agency, new infections have decreased from 6,254 cases in 2010 to 2,914 cases in 2024, HIV-related mortality from 4,681 deaths in 2010 to 2,957 in 2024, and the national prevalence from 7.17% in 1997 to 0.5% in 2024, said Dr. Seydou Ouattara.
The latest epidemiological data shows that the prevalence of HIV in the general population is 0.5%, representing approximately 94,000 people living with HIV, including 8,400 children. The Hauts-Bassins (2.7%), Centre (2.3%), Sud-Ouest (1.83%), and Centre-Est (1.2%) regions remain the most affected.
In 2024, 894,408 pregnant women were screened as part of the triple elimination of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. The national cascade indicates that 89% of people living with HIV know their status, 100% of those who test positive are taking antiretroviral treatment, but only 66% have a suppressed viral load, the Permanent Secretary stated.
According to Dr. Ouattara, these results stem from the adoption of the "Test and Treat" approach, differentiated service delivery, and community-based ARV distribution, which enabled the continuation of care in a challenging security environment. The implementation of free follow-up laboratory tests in 2024 has also strengthened access to services.
These results were presented during a press conference held in the lead-up to World AIDS Day, scheduled for December 5, on the theme "Overcoming disruptions, transforming the AIDS response".
According to the Permanent Secretary, the chosen theme aligns with the challenges facing the country and the international context marked by the health financing crisis.
Dr. Ouattara stressed the need to intensify combined prevention efforts, especially among adolescents, young people, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and defense and security forces. He also called for strengthening pediatric care, viral load suppression, and the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission.
The SP/CNLS-IST finally invited the media to strengthen awareness, stressing that "behind every number are lives, families and communities".