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Sierra Leone’s progress in the fight against HIV is under renewed strain as health authorities warn that shortages of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and HIV test kits could disrupt treatment continuity across the country.
Officials say the challenge is being driven largely by global supply chain disruptions, raising concerns about the availability of essential medical commodities needed to sustain gains made over recent years in HIV prevention and care.
The Director General of the National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (NAS), Abdul Rahman Sesay, disclosed updated national figures indicating that approximately 81,000 people are currently living with HIV in Sierra Leone.
According to him, 86% of people living with HIV are aware of their status, 87% are on antiretroviral treatment, while 63% have achieved viral suppression—figures he described as evidence of steady progress in the national response.
However, Sesay cautioned that ongoing shortages of ARVs and test kits pose a serious risk to sustaining these achievements, warning that supply interruptions could affect treatment adherence and new case detection.
“We have stock-outs, and all this has to do with supply chain issues due to some of the challenges globally,” he stated.
Health officials warn that any disruption in the availability of HIV commodities could undermine treatment continuity and slow down efforts to control the epidemic.
While Sierra Leone continues to make gains in testing and treatment coverage, experts say the situation highlights the country’s vulnerability to external supply shocks and underscores the need for stronger, more resilient health supply systems and sustained international support.
