Rwanda marks the 36th world AIDS day with Launches of Six-Month Awareness campaign
December 1, 2025, Rwanda joined the world commemoratingthe 36th International World AIDS Day by launching a six-month HIV awareness and prevention campaign. This year’s global
Theme”Finding solutions to fight HIV/AIDS”
Jeanne Umuhire, Deputy Director of the Rwanda Biomedical Center, expressed appreciation to global partners, agencies under the UN umbrella, civil society organizations, faith based institutions, youth groups, networks of people living with HIV, local authorities, and committed health workers who continue to drive the country’s HIV response.
She said the day should be one of reflection, solidarity, and renewed commitment to bringing the world closer to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Jeanne Umuhire noted that Rwanda has made strong progress towards the Triple 95 targets, pointing out that: 96% of people living with HIV know their status, 98% are on treatment, 98% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
She also celebrated Rwanda’s major success in preventing mother-to-child transmission, with infection rates now below 2%.
She indicated that despite these achievements, challenges were still evident in terms of reduced donor funding, new infections among adolescent girls and young women, persisting stigma and discrimination, and barriers to accessing services among key populations.
She called for the stronger integration of HIV services with other health components, such as non-communicable diseases, mental health, and sexual and reproductive health.
Representing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),Dr Fatmata Lovette Sesay hailed Rwanda’s 30-year journey of leadership, resilience, and innovation in its HIV response, citing the over 70% reduction in new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths.
She praised Rwanda for choosing Kagugu Health Center for the launch of the six month campaign due to its model of offering integrated, stigma-free services-including services offered to key populations and harm reduction programs.
Fatmata reaffirmed the UN family’s commitment to supporting Rwanda in developing inclusive, multisectoral, and sustainable HIV responses.
She called for increased investment in community led solutions and said that together, efforts must be made to eliminate stigma, amplify the voices of people living with HIV, and integrate HIV services within broader health systems.
During the event, Habimana Celestin was recognized for his perfect adherence; he has been on antiretroviral therapy for over 22 years.
He shared his personal journey of how he once stopped taking medication for three months and later developed severe complications to his health. He later recommitted to treatment.
saying, “I take my medication at the right time, whether I have eaten or not, and nothing stops me.
I encourage my fellow men to love themselves and adhere to treatment properly.”
Dr. IKUZO Basile, Head of the HIV/AIDS Division at RBC, affirmed that there are 234,593 people currently living with HIV. He said the country also annually registers about 2,500 new infections as well as a similar number of AIDS-related deaths.
He said”
96% of people living with HIV know their status,98% of those who know their status are on treatment,98% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.”
Dr. IKUZO noted that indeed 99% of babies born to mothers living with HIV complete the two year follow up period without infection, an indication of the success of PMTCT services.However, he warned that young people remain the most at risk due to limited knowledge and low use of available health services.
He emphasized that HIV prevention is not only the responsibility of the Ministry of Health but a shared responsibility for all.
The Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) reported that new HIV infections are still observed among young people aged 15 to 49, at a rate of 2.7%. This is why this age group has been prioritized in the new program aimed at completely preventing new infections and the consequences of the HIV virus.
Karungi Doreen
