A new report from the National AIDS Commission of Liberia, in partnership with UNAIDS, reveals that an estimated 34,000 people in the country are living with HIV, including both adults and children. The report highlights that there have been 1,000 new HIV infections and an additional 1,000 AIDS-related deaths. Vertical transmission, where HIV is passed from mother to child, currently stands at 14.7%. Montserrado County, the most densely populated area in Liberia, accounts for 2,600 of those affected.
Despite these numbers, the report notes significant progress in Liberia’s fight against HIV. As of February 2023, approximately 21,000 individuals were receiving life-saving HIV treatment. The national HIV prevalence rate sits at 1.3%, a relatively low figure compared to many countries. However, certain communities remain disproportionately impacted. Among female sex workers, the HIV prevalence is 18%, while the rate is even higher at 37% for men who have sex with men (MSM) and 11% among transgender people.
