Santo Domingo. — The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) clarified this Tuesday that has not declared a HIV epidemic in the Dominican Republicin response to information recently disseminated on social networks and in some media outlets, which claim the opposite.
Epidemiological clarification
PAHO explained that, from an epidemiological point of view, HIV is considered a persistent epidemic worldwide for more than four decades, including the Dominican Republic, due to its magnitude, sustained distribution over time and continuous transmission, especially concentrated in key and vulnerable populations.
Through a statement, the regional organization specified that this classification does not constitute a new announcement or a recent epidemiological alert for the country.
In this sense, the regional organization stressed that the information that has circulated should not be interpreted as an official declaration or as a change in the current epidemiological situation.
Regional context and actions in the country
In the Region of the Americas, important progress has been made in the response to HIV, although relevant challenges persist.
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According to UNAIDS estimates, during the year 2024 there will be approximately 170,000 new HIV infections and about 38,000 AIDS-related deaths.
PAHO highlighted that the Dominican Republic continues to strengthen HIV prevention, care and control actions, with efforts aimed at timely diagnosis, access to treatment, reduction of new infections and viral suppression.
Finally, the organization reiterated its commitment to continue supporting national authorities in a response based on scientific evidence, human rights and universal access to quality health services, while calling on the population and the media to use official sources to report clearly and responsibly on public health issues.
