The Ministry of Health is placing renewed focus on the wellbeing of Rwandan youth as HIV remains a significant public health concern. Speaking during a community sports event in Kigali on July 13, 2025, Health Minister Dr. Sabin Nsanzimana highlighted the ongoing risk posed by HIV, especially among young people.
Despite notable progress in the fight against the virus, data shows that HIV is still prevalent, particularly within the 15–24 age group. Minister Nsanzimana warned against misinformation and a false sense of security, noting that many youth were not present during the height of the HIV epidemic and may underestimate the risks.
Recent statistics from the Rwanda Biomedical Centre show that infection rates remain high: girls aged 15–19 are disproportionately affected, with 6.5% living with HIV compared to 1.6% of boys in the same age group. Young women aged 20–24 also face higher infection rates, standing at 5.2%, while their male counterparts are at 4.5%.
The situation is further underscored by findings from the 2023 national census, which counted around 9,000 young people aged 15–24 living with HIV. Health officials consider this number alarmingly high and a strong indicator that more targeted awareness campaigns and interventions are urgently needed.
In response, the Ministry of Health is scaling up its outreach programs, particularly those focused on sexual health education, testing services, and distribution of prevention tools such as condoms. Dr. Nsanzimana emphasized that empowering youth with accurate information and access to services is key to reversing current trends.
He also called on parents, schools, and community leaders to play an active role in equipping young people with the knowledge and support systems they need to make safe, informed choices.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to working with partners across sectors to ensure young people are protected and supported—not only in preventing HIV but also in managing the stigma that often accompanies it. As Rwanda continues to make progress in reducing overall HIV prevalence, health leaders stress that protecting the next generation must remain a national priority.
