Chile is among 10 countries where the numbers of people carrying HIV are increasing by 50% or more. Between 2010 and 2017, the number of people between 15 and 29 with HIV grew by 96%. And this year’s statistics show that the AIDS epidemic in Chile is still far from over.
A recently published report from UNAIDS, titled “Knowledge is Power”, has shown that Chile on global level is one of the countries with the highest increase in victims. There are nine other countries, according to the investigation, that have seen a rise of 50% or more in HIV patients between 2010 and 2017. Among them are Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Madagascar and the Philippines.
The ongoing HIV epidemic in Chile is far from new, and besides government health and prevention programs, there is anything but a decrease in the country’s statistics.
In comparison with the amount of new cases registered in September 2017, there was an increase of 21% in September 2018.
Increase in 7 years over 100%
The seven-year-term as monitored by UNAIDS, shows in fact an increase in new cases between 2010 and 2017 of 96%, from 2,968 new cases in 2010 to 5,816 new cases in 2017.
As the year hasn´t ended yet, experts according to daily La Tercera believe that there will be between 6,500 and 7,000 new infections at the end of the year, exceeding by far the 100% increase of new cases. Statistics that illustrate a tragedy of national proportions.
First Lady Cecilia Morel visited Puerto Montt earlier today, and her visit caused controversy when a local HIV-exam, where 300 samples were to be taken, was canceled due to her visit.
The timing of the cancellation, along with the recently published report from UNAIDS, contributed to the controversy. Health organizations argue whether the government sees the urgency in the battle against HIV in Chile. Since 2010, AIDS-related deaths in Chile have increased by 34%.
Editor-In-Chief Boris van der Spek is the founder of Chile Today.