Windhoek: A total of 3,700 Namibians died from AIDS in 2023, with 2,100 being women and 1,600 men, revealed Axel Tibinyane, Acting Executive Director of Health and Social Welfare Policy in the Ministry of Health. He presented these figures at the 19th International Conference on HIV Treatment, Pathogenesis and Prevention Research in Resource-Limited Settings, currently being held in Windhoek.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Namibia recorded 6,000 new HIV infections in the same year. Tibinyane reported that 400 males and 1,700 females between the ages of 15 and 24 tested positive for HIV in 2023. Despite these numbers, significant progress in the national HIV response was highlighted, with a 54 percent decline in new HIV infections and a 33 percent reduction in AIDS-related deaths since 2010. In 2023, around 230,000 Namibians were living with HIV, with 150,000 females and 80,000 males. Furthermore, 93 percent of Namibians knew their HIV status, and 95 percent of those living with HIV were receiving treatment. Of those on treatment, 98 percent achieved viral suppression.
Victoria Kamule, the Executive Director of Tonata People Living with HIV, also spoke at the conference and expressed concerns over the impact of reduced funding from the United States government through USAID. She emphasized that this decision has strained community-level HIV response efforts, affecting vital peer support networks and outreach programs.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, in a statement delivered on his behalf, noted Namibia’s significant progress toward achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 fast-track targets, aiming to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. Last year, Namibia was recognized by the World Health Organization for its efforts to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B. The country made history by becoming the first in the world to receive a Silver Tier designation for its achievements in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B, a significant accomplishment resulting from integrated, community-centered health strategies.