Rwanda Sees Positive Progress in the Fight Against HIV

In 2023, over 1.1 million Rwandans took the important step of voluntarily testing for HIV. Of those tested, 9,270 were found to be HIV positive. This marks an encouraging effort in the ongoing fight against the virus.

The statistics show some key differences. Among the 681,934 women who got tested, 5,518 were HIV positive. For men, 429,666 tested, with 3,752 being found positive.

There’s also a focus on younger age groups. In 2023, 37,158 children under 15 tested for HIV, and 225 were diagnosed with the virus. In the 15 to 24 age group, 380,371 tested, and 1,602 were found to be HIV positive.

Among adults over 25, 694,071 people tested, with 7,443 diagnosed with HIV. The efforts to test are seen across the country. In the Eastern Province, 289,015 people tested, and 2,675 were HIV positive. In the Western Province, 237,897 tested, and 1,431 had the virus. The Northern and Southern Provinces also saw testing efforts, with similar results.

In Kigali, 234,696 people tested for HIV, and 2,811 were found to be HIV positive. The nationwide effort is making a clear impact.

A closer look at the treatment shows that 36.7% of men with HIV are receiving antiretroviral therapy, while 63.3% of women are on the treatment. Among children, 52.5% of girls and 47.5% of boys are taking medication to reduce the virus’s effects.

The report also highlights the progress in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV during childbirth. In 2024, this rate dropped from 2% in previous years to just 0.9%.

The statistics from the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) show that over 220,000 Rwandans are receiving treatment for HIV. Most of them—95%—are adhering to their medication, and 90% show positive improvements in managing the virus.

Despite these positive trends, HIV is still a major health issue. In December 2024, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana, shared that seven out of every 100 deaths in Rwanda are related to HIV. Many of these deaths are due to late diagnoses or fear of disclosing one’s HIV status.

The good news is that efforts to raise awareness and treatment adherence have significantly improved. Just 10 years ago, more than 20 people died every day from HIV-related causes.

There’s also a notable shift among sex workers, who remain the group most at risk. In the past decade, the percentage of HIV-positive sex workers dropped from 50% to 35%. This change, though slow, is a step in the right direction.

These statistics reflect a country making strides in the fight against HIV. While there’s still work to be done, Rwanda is clearly on the path to a healthier future.