Children’s Place International is working closely with the Government of Guyana and their Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy. Hear the his view on how the HIV epidemic is affecting the country.
Why Guyana?
At the end of 2007, UNAIDS estimated that the prevalence of HIV infection among adults in Guyana was 2.5 percent. The first case of AIDS in Guyana was reported in 1987 and there has been a progressive increase in the reported number of cases. Since the first reported case, there has been a progressive increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Guyana; however, the true rate of infection and absolute number of infected individuals is largely unknown because under-reporting is estimated to be as high as 60 percent. However, the most current data shows an annual increase in HIV/AIDS-related deaths, and HIV-related illness is currently among the leading cause of death among persons 25-34 years old.
The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to result in increasing numbers of children being orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. Currently, there are an estimated 4000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Guyana.
Guyana at A Glance
Guyana has a population of 751,223 and is located along the northeastern shore of South America. It is the only English-speaking country in South America. Most of the population (86 percent) is concentrated in the coastal areas and 71.6 percent of the population lives in rural communities.
