Nepal has over 30,000 HIV cases, mostly among men

 Nepal has over 30,000 HIV cases, mostly among men

Government data shows that the number of HIV/AIDS cases in Nepal has exceeded 30,000.

The main risk groups are men who have sex with men, sexual minorities, female sex workers, drug users and immigrants.

The number of AIDS deaths is 569 and the annual rate of new infections is 614.

13 Ashar, Kathmandu. The estimated number of HIV/AIDS cases in Nepal is over 30,000, according to government data.

According to information given at a program organized in Kathmandu on Friday, HIV infection is seen only in the main risk groups in Nepal. The main risk groups are men who have sex with men, sexual minorities, female sex workers, people who inject drugs and immigrants.

There are more men than women infected with HIV. The annual rate of new infections is 614, while the number of AIDS-related deaths is 569, said Asmita Ojha, Public Health Administrator of the National AIDS and STD Control Center. According to her, the number of pregnant women infected with HIV in Nepal is 227.

“Currently, HIV infection is only in the main risk groups in Nepal. The main risk groups are men having sex with men, transgenders, female sex workers, drug users, and immigrants, and the HIV situation is mainly higher than in the general population,” she said.

The number of pregnant women infected with HIV in Nepal is 227. Ojha informed that this was made public based on past data and various studies conducted on the current situation.

“Sex workers, especially female sex workers, are 115,919 people, while men having sex with men are 77,340,” she said. “Our study has shown that transgender people are 32,895, and people in prison are 27,839 as the main risk groups.”

The study was conducted on 115,919 people involved in sex work, 77,340 men who have sex with men and 32,895 people from sexual minorities, 27,839 people in prison, and 44,350 people who inject drugs.

Experts have said that Nepal faces significant challenges in meeting its international commitment to controlling HIV by 2030, with a lack of free testing services and increasing dependence on donor agencies.