Freetown – Sierra Leone is struggling to close critical treatment gaps in its HIV response, with new data from the National AIDS Secretariat revealing that out of an estimated 81,000 people living with HIV, more than 22,000 are not receiving life-saving antiretroviral therapy.
The country’s HIV prevalence among adults aged 15 to 49 stands at 1.7 percent. Rates are higher in urban areas at 2.3 percent compared to 1.2 percent in rural communities.
The figures also highlight sharp disparities across different groups. Prevalence is highest among female sex workers at 11.8 percent, followed by people who inject drugs at 4.2 percent, incarcerated individuals at 3.7 percent, and men who have sex with men at 3.2 percent.
Gender inequality remains a major concern, with prevalence among women at 2.2 percent—double that of men, who stand at 1.1 percent.
Despite progress reported by UNAIDS, which estimates that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their status and 90 percent are on treatment, Sierra Leone’s own program data show a tougher reality. Only 76 percent are aware of their status, and just 45 percent of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression, the key measure for controlling the virus and safeguarding long-term health.
Health experts warn that unless these gaps are urgently addressed, Sierra Leone risks falling behind on global targets to control HIV by 2030.
