Over 5,000 People Tested for HIV in Cyprus in the Last Decade

In anticipation of World AIDS Day on December 1, Cyprus Checkpoint, an initiative dedicated to combating HIV/AIDS, released detailed statistics about its testing efforts on the island. Over the past decade, a total of 5,282 individuals have been tested for HIV in Cyprus.

From 2015 to August 2024, 3,971 people were tested for syphilis. During this time, the organization also assisted 57 individuals living with HIV in accessing government-provided healthcare services. Additionally, more than 50,000 condoms were distributed to support prevention efforts.

Cyprus Checkpoint serves as a comprehensive service for preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The initiative is fully committed to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals.

These global targets aim to ensure that:

• 95% of people living with HIV know their status,
• 95% of those who know their status receive treatment, and
• 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.

“The three UNAIDS targets ultimately converge on a single goal: reducing new HIV infections. Without meeting the first target—making sure that at least 95% of people living with HIV are aware of their status—we cannot hope to achieve the second and third targets. These involve providing access to antiretroviral therapy, ensuring undetectable viral loads, and making individuals non-infectious,” the organization emphasized.

The statement also underlined that community-led preventive screening programs are the most critical tools for achieving the first UNAIDS target.