13,000 People Living with HIV in Afghanistan, Reports UN

DID Press: According to the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), approximately 13,000 people in Afghanistan are living with HIV, primarily infected through drug use and contaminated syringes.

On World AIDS Day, reports highlight expanded support services for people living with HIV across the country. The UN Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, plays a key role in identifying cases, providing treatment, and reducing harm in all 34 provinces.

Personal Stories: Life Transformed by ART
“Ahmed,” a 39-year-old driver and father of six, was diagnosed with HIV ten years after first showing symptoms. After years of uncertainty and visiting multiple clinics, he was referred to an Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) center at the Afghan–Japan Hospital. With nine years of consistent treatment, he now leads a normal life.

His wife, Farzana, who also lives with HIV, initially hid her status due to stigma but has improved with ART. Both emphasize that knowing the virus is manageable has restored hope for their family.

Expansion of HIV Services in Afghanistan
Although HIV prevalence in the general population remains below 0.1%, higher rates are reported among injecting drug users, prisoners, and other high-risk groups, who often face stigma and limited access to healthcare.

UNDP and the Global Fund have implemented comprehensive support programs in high-risk provinces, including safe syringe distribution, HIV testing, opioid substitution therapy, and ART services.

Key Achievements in 2024:
HIV prevention training for 7,500 drug users and 10,600 prisoners
Distribution of over 307,000 clean syringes
HIV testing for more than 17,000 people
Opioid substitution therapy for 1,810 patients
Initiation of HIV treatment for 1,540 patients
Preventive TB treatment for 445 individuals

ART centers and drop-in centers, including in Kabul’s Kote Sangi area, serve as vital support hubs for at-risk populations. UN agencies say that with continued international support, new infections can be reduced and the disease controlled in the coming years.