Asmara: World AIDS Day 2025 has been commemorated for the 33rd time on 1 December at the national level in Asmara under the theme ‘Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response.’ Dr. Araia Berhane, Director of Communicable Diseases Control at the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of the day as an opportunity to review efforts in combating HIV/AIDS and renew commitment to the cause. He highlighted that over the past decade, the HIV infection rate among individuals aged 15 to 54 has been reduced to 0.35%, with significant declines in new infections and deaths among those aged 15 to 24.
According to African Press Organization, Dr. Araia also mentioned the near-elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and pointed out that individuals living with the disease are receiving anti-viral medicines at no cost. For 95% of these individuals, the viral load has decreased to undetectable levels in laboratory tests. He called for coordinated efforts to nurture an HIV/AIDS-free society.
Dr. Mar
y Stephen, WHO Representative in Eritrea, acknowledged Eritrea’s achievements in controlling HIV/AIDS prevalence. She provided a global perspective, indicating that in 2024, 1.3 million people acquired HIV, 40.8 million people were living with HIV, and 630 thousand people died from HIV-related causes.
Sister Nigisti Tesfamicael, head of HIV/AIDS Control at the Ministry of Health, provided a briefing on the spread of HIV/AIDS and the measures implemented to control it. Members of the Medical Association of Eritrea engaged in a panel discussion during the event.
Representatives of UNICEF and UNFPA shared messages of solidarity, while members of the voluntary Bidiho association shared testimonies about the disease and their personal experiences.