Phnom Penh, May 30 (IANS). Cambodia has overcome a major hurdle against HIV. It has achieved the 95-95-95 target set for HIV treatment last year and is rapidly moving towards eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by the year 2030. This information was given by the country’s Health Minister Chiang Ra.
These targets mean that 95 percent of people living with HIV know their HIV status. 95 percent of people who know their status are receiving life-saving antiretroviral (ART) treatment. In 95 percent of people receiving treatment, the level of the virus is low enough to be controlled (virally suppressed).
HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.
The Health Ministry issued a statement late Friday night. According to which, the Health Minister shared this important achievement during a meeting with Patricia Onpin, UNAIDS Country Director for Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia, in Phnom Penh on Friday.
Chheng Ra said, “Achieving the 95-95-95 targets is a clear testament to the progress and impact of Cambodia’s National AIDS Programme.”
He said this achievement shows that Cambodia is moving strongly towards eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The minister also said the country will further integrate HIV prevention, testing and treatment services into the health system. Also, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and self-testing services will be expanded. Along with this, the stability of financial resources for AIDS programs will be increased.
Congratulating Cambodia on its remarkable progress against AIDS, Ongpin said UNAIDS will prepare to formally verify and recognize the achievement of the 95-95-95 targets in line with international standards, Xinhua News Agency reported.
According to a 2025 report by the Ministry of Health, about 76,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia.
Nearly 700 AIDS-related deaths and nearly 1,200 new HIV infections were recorded last year, according to the report.
HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system. When the infection reaches its extreme stage, it is called AIDS.
This virus targets the white blood cells of the body, which weakens the immune system. Due to this, the person increases the risk of diseases like tuberculosis (TB), various infections and some types of cancer.
HIV is spread through an infected person’s body fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluid. It is not spread by kissing, hugging or sharing food. It can also be infected from mother to child.
HIV prevention and treatment is possible through antiretroviral therapy (ART). If it is not treated, it can turn into AIDS after many years.
–IANS
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