Sudan Health Ministry: More than 2,400 people died of HIV-AIDS last year

The Anti-AIDS Programme Unit of Sudan’s Ministry of Health reported that at least 2,400 people died of HIV-AIDS in the country in 2018.

During a press conference on Monday to mark the World AIDS Day, the unit said that 5,200 people were newly infected last year. The unit said that an estimated 59,000 people are HIV-positive in Sudan: 29,000 men and 26,000 women.

According to the Anti-AIDS Programme Unit, 3,894 cases tested positive out of almost 253,000 people tested for the virus. Out of more than 126,000 pregnant women tested, 181 tested positive.

The report stated that the total number of people living with full-blown AIDS receiving treatment in 2018 reached 8,803, and indicated that the incidence of AIDS has increased in Sudan by 0.24 per cent.

An estimated 21,100 mothers need treatment with AIDS medication to prevent further transmission of the virus to their children, while about 4,200 children under 14 years are being treated.

The number of centres for preventing vertical transmission from the mother to the foetus increased to 458. Also, the number of voluntary examination and psychological counselling centres reached 348, the number of treatment centres for sexually transmitted diseases 229, and there are 42 AIDS care and treatment centres.

Radio Dabanga’s editorial independence means that we can continue to provide factual updates about political developments to Sudanese and international actors, educate people about how to avoid outbreaks of infectious diseases, and provide a window to the world for those in all corners of Sudan. Support Radio Dabanga for as little as €2.50, the equivalent of a cup of coffee.