Rwanda reported a drop in new HIV infections in 2024, with 2,555 people diagnosed, down from about 2,922 in 2023. The decline was seen in every province, according to Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC). ALSO READ: Six-month HIV prevention injection set for rollout by year-end Deo Mutambuka, the Executive Secretary of Rwanda Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (RRP+), said the data shows improvements in access to HIV and sexual and reproductive health services over recent years. ALSO READ: Why HIV infections among young people remain alarmingly high Health facilities are now more distributed across the country, he noted, with most sectors having at least two facilities. This has made HIV testing and treatment easier to reach, mostly for people in rural areas. Early testing and prompt initiation of treatment have helped reduce new infections, he said, explaining that with antiretroviral medicines consistently available, more people living with HIV are staying on treatment and achieving viral suppression (less than 200 copies of HIV per millilitre of blood), which lowers the risk of transmitting the virus. Mutambuka noted that efforts to address stigma have made it easier for people to test and remain in care. People living with HIV are increasingly supporting one another through peer follow-up and home visits, helping to ensure adherence to treatment and regular contact with health services, he added. “RRP+ operates through a structure that begins at the cell level and extends through sectors, districts, and provinces to the national level. This allows peer educators to work closely with households and quickly report challenges to health facilities and local leaders. The network works with more than 5,000 trained peer educators nationwide, who support prevention efforts, treatment adherence, and referrals to care,” Mutambuka said. According to Mutambuka, the drop in new infections across all provinces could be due to closer coordination between community groups and health facilities. For example, community-based HIV testing, follow-up at the local level, and flexible service delivery arrangements have helped retain people in care, he said. “Prevention messages tailored to communities also helped reach those at higher risk.” However, Mutambuka noted that the number of new infections is still high, explaining that more than 2,500 people were newly infected in 2024, which shows gaps that still need attention. He noted that among young people, HIV prevention is often taken as less urgent than pregnancy prevention, which weakens broader efforts to reduce risk. HIV prevention needs to be better integrated into sexual and reproductive health education for young people, he said. “Young people still don’t have enough access to services that are private, respectful, and available outside normal clinic hours. Support for children living with HIV in schools is weak, and that makes it harder for them to stay on treatment. Stigma is still a big problem, and people are afraid to get tested or to speak out,” he said. Leon Pierre Rusanganwa, the Health Programme Coordinator at the Private Sector Federation, said the reduction of new HIV infections is due to better planning, proper use of resources, and stronger accountability. “Stigma and discrimination are still a challenge, because when people do not get tested voluntarily, they don’t know their status and cannot receive treatment. If left untreated, the disease can lead to death,” he said. Rusanganwa noted that the government has partnered with private companies to protect the health of the working population, explaining that policies were introduced to reduce stigma and make it easier for employees to stay healthy and productive. Treatment coverage in Rwanda is high, he noted, adding that that of those diagnosed with HIV, 95 percent know their status, 95 percent are on antiretroviral therapy, and 95 percent of those on treatment have suppressed viral loads. Rusanganwa said the progress comes from a national plan, collaboration between different sectors, and close work with communities, adding that focusing on testing, treatment, and reducing stigma helps keep people healthy. “Rwanda has made progress in reducing new HIV infections through focused national programmes, for example, authorities are targeting people who may have HIV and tracing their sexual partners, family members, and others in their network through a programme called index testing. We start with the person who is HIV positive and trace people who may acquire HIV from them. This programme has been effective across the country,” said Dr. Gilbert Mbaraga, the Medical Officer at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Rwanda. Dr Mbaraga noted that pregnant women are followed through antenatal care visits, where they are tested during pregnancy, at labour, and monitored until two years after delivery. Mbaraga explained that among young people, youth-friendly services are being rolled out to raise awareness about HIV. “Youth corner centres are being set up across the country, and school programmes target young people who may be sexually active. Condom awareness initiatives, mostly in universities, are part of these efforts,” he stated. Mbaraga added that to sustain the decline in new HIV infections, programmes must be carried out consistently, with a focus on index testing, youth awareness, condom promotion, and regular testing, particularly targeting men who are less likely to visit health facilities. Efforts are being made to reach men in workplaces and other places where they gather, he said.
