People at high risk of infection include people who inject drugs, sex workers, prison inmates, gay and bisexual men, and those who migrate for work.
What you should know
A recent statistic shows that only 77 percent of the estimated total HIV infections in Nepal are on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
According to the latest data released by the National AIDS and STD Control Center, 1.7 people are newly infected with HIV every day in Nepal. Similarly, by the end of 2024, 34,337 people are estimated to be infected with HIV in Nepal. The prevalence rate among the adult population is 0.13 percent.
According to the 'HIV Fact Sheet 2025' released by the center, by the end of 2024, 26,372 people are receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment in Nepal, and 77 percent of the estimated total HIV cases are on ARV treatment.
In 2024, 614 people are estimated to have newly infected with HIV, while 569 people are estimated to have died from AIDS. In that year, 37 children (0-14 years) are estimated to have newly infected.
The groups at high risk of HIV infection in Nepal are injecting drug users, sex workers, prisoners, male homosexuals and transgender people, and those who migrate for employment.
To achieve the goal of ending the AIDS epidemic in Nepal by 2030, it has been said that 95:95, that is, 95 percent of HIV-infected people should know their infection status, 95 percent of them should have access to drug treatment, and 95 percent of those taking these drugs should have a low viral load.
The government is currently providing free antiretroviral treatment from 96 ART centers in 64 districts. The Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) service, PMTCT program, is operating in all districts of the country, under which free HIV testing facilities are available for pregnant women in health institutions.
The state of AIDS in the world By the end of 2024, it is estimated that 48 million people in the world will be infected with HIV. Every day, 3,600 people are infected with HIV worldwide. This year, the 38th World AIDS Day is being celebrated with the theme, 'Breaking the Barriers, Transforming the AIDS Response'. World AIDS Day is observed on December 1 every year.
