BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — AS the Federation joined the rest of the world in observing World AIDS Day on Sunday, Health Minister Dr. Terrance Drew confirmed that the country recorded a slight increase in new HIV cases last year, with total cases now standing at more than 200.
Globally, new HIV diagnoses continue to decline. In 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV, and 1.3 million were newly diagnosed.
In a statement issued for World AIDS Day, Dr. Drew noted that 630,000 people worldwide died from AIDS-related causes in 2024. Locally, an estimated 238 people are living with HIV. Nineteen new cases were diagnosed last year, and three people died from AIDS-related complications.
Alarmingly, infections continue to rise among young people aged 15 to 24. “Now is the time for urgent action,” Prime Minister Drew warned.
“Our National HIV/AIDS Program forms the backbone of the Federation’s response to the epidemic. It is built on three essential pillars: equity and human rights for all, strict confidentiality to safeguard personal health information, and a commitment to providing care free from stigma and discrimination,” Dr. Drew stated.
Even as the Federation strengthens its local response, international efforts face mounting pressure due to significant funding cuts from major donor nations and partner agencies—raising concerns about access to essential treatment and services.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has also warned that reduced global funding threatens progress in combating HIV/AIDS. This year’s theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” highlights how these financial challenges have disrupted critical services and increased risks for vulnerable populations. Dr. Drew said the theme “urges us to respond with unity, innovation, and determination to protect our progress and stay on track toward our 2030 goals.”
The Federation’s own National HIV/AIDS Program receives technical support and capacity building through the multi-country Global Fund Grant for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. However, this support is now under threat.
“The most recent Global Fund Agreement, signed in May 2025, committed over US$56,000 to our program for the period April 2025 to December 2027. However, due to global donor funding cuts, this support is now at risk, and the Federation may not receive the full amount pledged,” Dr. Drew disclosed.
As the year comes to an end, the prime minister urged the public to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones:
Make HIV testing part of your annual medical check-up.
Couples and partners should get tested before engaging in unprotected sex.
Stay informed—learn how HIV is transmitted and how to protect yourself.
HIV testing and condoms are free at all public health facilities. Protect yourself during the upcoming Christmas and Carnival season.
HIV is no longer a death sentence. With regular testing, early diagnosis, and treatment, people living with HIV can achieve an undetectable viral load and live long, healthy, productive lives. “We all have a role to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” he said. “The Ministry of Health cannot do it alone.”
