Over 1,600 HIV cases reported in Laos in 9 months of 2025

A total of 1,617 new HIV cases were reported in Laos from January to September 2025, with young people aged 15-29 accounting for 53 percent of the new cases, according to the Lao Ministry of Health.

Marking World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, the ministry reported that Laos currently has 21,363 people living with HIV, with 14,314 receiving antiretroviral treatment, local news website Lao Phattana News reported on Wednesday.

To strengthen prevention and response efforts, authorities highlighted the importance of World AIDS Day in raising public awareness, mobilizing community action, and honoring those who have lost their lives to AIDS.

Currently, Laos operates 196 testing facilities and a growing network of treatment centers across the country.

To sustain progress despite ongoing challenges, such as limited resources, the Lao government has urged all sectors of society to work together to overcome these obstacles, in line with the 2025 World AIDS Day theme: "Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response."

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