Nepal registers sharp decline in new HIV infection, death rate

KATHMANDU, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Nepal has drastically reduced the rate of new HIV infections and deaths, the government said here on Friday.

Dec. 1 this year marks the 30th World AIDS Day which is celebrated with the slogan "Right to Health" worldwide.

In a special function organized in Kathmandu, government officials said that the country has scored positive achievements in reducing the number of HIV infections and deaths as compared to other countries in the world.

"It is significant that Nepal has reduced the new infections by 57 percent compared with that in 2010. Regarding deaths, there is a sharp decline of 30 percent," Bikash Neupane, director at the National Center for AIDS and STD Control, said at the event.

According to the National Center for AIDS and STD Control, there were 30,646 reported HIV cases in Nepal as of July 2017, while 14,544 infected people were enrolled in antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The first HIV case in Nepal was reported in 1988.

At least 1,771 deaths are reported every year due to HIV/AIDS in Nepal. It is believed that the massive expansion of antiretroviral therapy has reduced the number of deaths in Nepal.

Currently, there are 65 ART centers in various districts across the country.

A government report said around 70 percent of HIV infections take place through unprotected sexual activities. Enditem