This means that some 840 HIV positive people are living in Banjul, based on data from the UNAIDS. Most of these infections are among young people aged between 15 and 35 years. “These regional variations highlight the importance of targeted interventions in urban areas and among key populations to reduce HIV transmission rates,” UNAIDS report states.
Kanifing region, on the other hand, accounts for 1.9 per cent (500 people) of the 26, 000 national infection data, representing the highest urban prevalent ratio. Brikama too, follows closely at 1.7 per cent of HIV infection prevalence, comprising a significant urban population, followed by Kombo at 1.5 percent of mixed urban and rural population.
North Bank, Upper River, Lower River, and Central River regions follow closely between 1.0 per cent to 1.4 per cent, respectively. The National Aids Secretariat considers as “very real” in the country, despite people’s lifestyle towards the disease. This data indicates only the tested and confirmed numbers, excluding those left untested as the unknown statuses.
“HIV/AIDS continues to be a pressing concern in The Gambia, with 26,368 individuals currently living with the virus,” said Lamin Badjie, the monitoring and evaluation specialist at the National AIDS Secretariat.
From the PLHIV
Modou (not his real name) is a young person between this age range; he did not feel comfortable telling his friends or colleagues about his status because people still associate HIV with sex workers or laziness, which he said, isn’t true. “Stigma remains a big issue. I still don’t know how I got the infection, and assumptions like this only make things worse,” she said in an interview with The Point recently.
After living with the virus for so many years, he decided last year to tell his brother and younger sister about his status – both of whom have noticed his weight loss over the period.
“When I disclosed it, my younger sister admitted that she had noticed changes in my body. I had gained a lot of weight growing up but suddenly, I lost a lot of weight and became very skinny. My sister wasn’t sure what had happened to me, but she observed the changes. I told her she was right to notice. They assured me of support despite the shocking news and I am glad I shared my status with them,” he explained.
However, Modou is not still sure how he contracted the virus: “It started with constant sickness and painful lumps growing under my armpits. I decided to consult a friend who is a medical professional. He told me honestly that these symptoms could be signs of HIV and advised me to get tested. However, it took me a long time to gather the courage to go for the test.”
A second HIV positive patient, Aminata (also not her real name), receives her treatment from Brikama Hospital and is happy that “everything is going well” for her. Just like Modou, she has not also trusted sharing her status with her friends.
“I decided to inform my close family members about my HIV status because it’s important for them to know in case of an emergency. If something happens and I can’t explain my condition, they will know where I get my medication from and how to help me. My twin sister, my daughter, and my other siblings are aware, but I hide my status from my mother… Sharing with my family has brought me peace of mind,” Aminata said.
She had discovered her status back in 2005 during a routine pregnancy check-up. “When they offered me an HIV test, I agreed, and the result came back positive. At first, I couldn’t accept it. I had heard people say that HIV patients do not live long. This thought had devastated me. I couldn’t eat, drink, or function properly, and my mental health suffered greatly. I didn’t know much about HIV at the time, and the stress led me to lose my baby,” Aminata recounted.
The third patient we tracked down was born with HIV, having contracted from HIV-positive parents. “I was born with the virus because my parents were infected,” she shared.
“I have eight children, but sadly, the first four passed away. The other four are healthy and do not have the virus. When I got tested and found out I was positive, I wasn’t too worried because I had seen my parents live with the virus. I thank God that I am still alive,” she said.
Notwithstanding, she is concerned that many others living with HIV struggle to stay on treatment. “The medication is strong and makes you feel hungry right away after taking it. We are always hungry because of the medicine. The government should support us with food and financial aid to help manage our status better.”
She also called for a nationwide awareness campaign through the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS). “Many people living with the virus face stigma and discrimination. Some are afraid to go to the hospital for treatment because people point fingers at them. More education is needed in The Gambia so that people understand HIV better and stop judging those of us living with it.”
National Responses
Meanwhile, authorities said there have been “significant strides in addressing the HIV epidemic,” especially through the efforts of the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and support from international organisations like UNAIDS. Their commitment is thanks to a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, treatment, care, and support for people living with HIV in the country.
According to the UNAIDS, the Gambia has implemented WHO's recommendation to provide lifelong Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to all people living with HIV, regardless of their clinical status. Also, efforts have been made to eliminate new HIV infections among children by providing ART to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Control Manager, National Malaria Control Programme, Pa Ousman Bah, explained to journalists last week that the national HIV prevalence rate remains relatively low at 1.3%, data from the National Sentinel Surveillance (2023) revealed higher prevalence rates in certain regions: Basse (2.0%), Bansang and Brikama 1.6%.
Of the number, 60% (15,898) have been diagnosed; 65% (10,313) are receiving treatment; and 61% (6,293) of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression.
