Nearly 77,000 people live with HIV in the Dominican Republic; more than 4,200 are reported this year
Santo Domingo. – The National Council for HIV and AIDS (CONAVIHSIDA) revealed that there are 76,892 people living with this virus in the Dominican Republic, of which 75,427 are receiving antiretroviral treatment and 1,465 are being monitored.
While the notifications entered into the National Epidemiological Surveillance System (SINAVE), in just 8 months a total of 4,200 accumulated cases were recorded for this 2024.
Given the significant public health challenge posed by the high incidence of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the country, the program Special Report with Julissa Céspedes decided to release the most recent statistics on this virus.
International Organizations
According to a United Nations report on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) , there are 39.9 million people worldwide living with HIV and 9.3 million, almost a quarter, are not receiving life-saving treatment.Demographic Analysis in the DR
| Nationality | Infected | Percentage |
| Dominicans | 54,685 | 71.1% |
| Haitians | 21,470 | 27.9% |
| Venezuelans | 452 | 0.6% |
| Other nationalities | 257 | 0.3% |
While according to data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a decrease in the prevalence of HIV among children aged 0 to 14 years in the country is reported, during the period 2018-2022, they show a progressive reduction.
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HIV prevalence in children aged 0 to 14 years in the Dominican Republic
| Amount | Year |
| 1,310 cases | 2018 |
| 1,290 cases | 2019 |
| 1,170 cases | 2020 |
| 1,060 cases | 2021 |
| 940 cases | 2022 |
The numbers are alarming, as recent studies revealed that 13.2% of children with HIV develop tuberculosis. This also reflects a severely compromised immune system. Furthermore, many of these patients abandon treatment, worsening the child health crisis.
Of the 741 pediatric cases recorded between April and June of this year, 340 are girls and 401 are boys.
The main channel of HIV transmission in children remains mother-to-child transmission, despite efforts to implement prevention protocols. Specialists point to the lack of adequate prenatal care, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
Transmission media
Although HIV has traditionally been associated with sexually active adults, the virus is also transmitted through other means. It can spread through bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions. It should be noted that HIV is not transmitted through kissing, hugging or sharing food.According to data from CONAVIHSIDA, HIV statistics in the Dominican Republic show a worrying trend in the female population.
Adult women have a higher prevalence, especially in the 40 to 44 age group, with 5,057 cases. They are followed by women aged 35 to 39, with 4,777 cases. In addition, it also affects younger women, with 1,842 cases recorded in the 15 to 24 age group.
In the case of men, the numbers show a different pattern than that of women. The age group from 35 to 39 years old has the highest incidence, with 5,428 cases, surpassing the 40 to 44 age group, which has 4,784 cases.
In the case of males aged 15 to 24, 3,052 cases were recorded, a figure significantly higher than that of their female counterparts.
Challenges of HIV
The Dominican Republic faces a significant challenge in its fight against HIV, a disease that has affected thousands of people in the country.According to the latest data from the Ministry of Public Health and the Joint United Nations Programme, the prevalence of HIV in the adult population stands at 0.9%, a figure that, although stable compared to previous years, remains a cause for concern.
In August of this year, authorities reported more than 1,500 deaths per year and the number of infected people per year exceeds 2,000.
CONAVIHSIDA indicated that the most vulnerable populations in the face of this phenomenon are sex workers, people who use injectable drugs and the LGBTIQ+ community, since they have the highest infection rate compared to the rest of society.
Rural areas are also more affected by the lack of access to adequate health services than urban areas.
What the Law Says
It should be noted that the intentional transmission of HIV, a problem that has concerned Dominican society for decades, is classified as a crime in national legislation. Article 79 of Law 135-11 establishes penalties of up to 20 years in prison for those who deliberately and by any means transmit the virus to another person.According to the same law, there is an obligation to inform one's sexual partner about a positive diagnosis. Failure to comply with this duty is not only an ethical breach, but also a punishable offence. The law stipulates sentences of two to five years in prison for those who fail to disclose their HIV status before engaging in sexual relations.
Furthermore, Articles 13 and 77 establish a fine of no less than ten minimum wages for disclosing the health condition of a person with HIV, publicly or privately, without their consent.
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Actions against HIV
In an effort to strengthen the fight against HIV, the United States Government donated $1.23 million in antiretroviral drugs in 2022. However, challenges remain.According to CONAVIHSIDA, getting tested for HIV remains one of the first and most effective preventive measures, but much remains to be done to ensure that people have access to these services.
HIV History in the DR
According to the PAHO, the first case of AIDS in the Dominican Republic dates back to 1983. Two years later, in 1985, the first international conference on the disease was held and the first Dominican technical unit for the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS was created. In 1987, the first drug to treat AIDS, the antiretroviral AZT, was launched on the market.The organization notes that during the first HIV survey in the country, held in 1991, 15% of Haitian residents tested positive for the virus, underscoring the importance of inclusive and cross-border policies.
In the workplace, people with HIV face discrimination, despite laws that seek to protect their rights. Many choose to hide their diagnosis for fear of rejection or losing their jobs.
Cerca de 77 mil personas viven con VIH en RD; más de 4,200 se reportan este año
CONAVIHSIDA reveló que República Dominicana registra 76 mil 892 personas viviendo con el virus del VIH en el país.
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