Minister of Health and Wellness, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville and Director of the National HIV/AIDS & Infectious Diseases Program, Dr. Nikkiah Forbes appeared at a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister on Thursday where they provided the latest HIV/AIDS statistics.

According to Dr. Forbes there were 156 new reported cases of HIV infections and 3,988 people living with HIV in The Bahamas at the end of 2024. She said, “age group 30-39 years of age accounted for 36% of the infections and this was followed by the age group 40-49 years of age at 19% and then those over 50 were the third highest age group affected at 17%.”

There were 22 people between the ages of 15-24 years who were newly diagnosed with HIV which accounted for 14% of new infections. Dr. Forbes said, “when we consider, okay, in the last year or two we’ve started to see a steady increase in some infections. So from 122 cases in 2021, in the COVID years, that is an increase isn’t it.”

According to the health officials saimore focus is needed on public education to encourage safe sexual behaviour. Dr. Darville said, “with funding from the government The Bahamas is noticing a decrease of HIV cases from 2010 to 2024.”

Dr. Forbes also provided an update on Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea cases. “So far in 2025, 131 cases of Chlamydia were reported in February and after a temporary decline 151 cases were reported in May followed by a decrease to 111 in June. Gonorrhoea cases were 34 in February, 42 in May and the decreased to 33 in June. Persons 15-24 years of age accounted for 51% of the Chlamydia cases and 60% of the Gonorrhoea cases.”

The health minister spoke to the national effort needed to address the new statistics. “The Bahamas realize the importance of addressing the incidents of infectious diseases in the country and the policies at the Ministry of Health and Wellness reflects the government’s agenda which is to provide resources to assist Bahamians throughout the archipelago to access testing, diagnosis and treatment. We’re committed in doing that and by that policy we are reaping the fruits where we seeing the decrease of cases.”