“Nepal Reports 30,000+ HIV Cases, Majority Among Men”

Kathmandu— According to government data, the estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Nepal has exceeded 30,000, with more men than women affected.

This information was shared during a program held in Kathmandu on Friday. The data shows that HIV infections in Nepal are primarily concentrated within key high-risk groups.

These groups include:

• Men who have sex with men (MSM)
• Gender minorities
• Female sex workers
• People who inject drugs
• Migrant populations

Asmita Ojha, a public health administrator at the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control, stated that the annual rate of new HIV infections is 614, and 569 people have died from AIDS-related causes. She also reported that 227 pregnant women in Nepal are currently living with HIV.

The study covered the following estimated populations:

• 115,919 female sex workers
• 77,340 men who have sex with men
• 32,895 gender minorities
• 27,839 prison inmates
• 44,350 people who inject drugs

Experts have warned that due to a lack of free testing resources, limited expansion of diagnostic services, and increasing reliance on donor agencies, Nepal may face significant challenges in meeting its international commitment to control HIV by 2030.