KPL
Khammouane Province recorded 89 new HIV cases in the first nine months of 2026, with 9,300 people tested between January and September, according to provincial health authorities.
The figures were presented by Dr. Phongsakone Khamdaranikon, Deputy Head of the Administration Office of the Provincial Department of Health and coordinator of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) project, during a review meeting on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and control on October 22. Participants assessed the province’s performance in 2026 and discussed plans for 2027.
Nationally, HIV prevalence among people aged 15–49 is estimated at 0.42%. Reported prevalence among key populations stands at 5% among men who have sex with men, 1% among female sex workers and 0.6% among people who inject drugs. In 2026, men accounted for 61% of reported infections and women 39%. Health officials also raised concerns about infections among school and university students, young people and other population groups.
Khammouane’s cumulative figures for 2020–2026 show that 77,308 people underwent HIV testing, with 544 testing positive and 67 deaths recorded during the period. The number of people tested peaked at 13,406 in 2025.
To strengthen prevention and early detection, provincial authorities plan to expand mobile testing, increase targeted awareness campaigns among high-risk populations and continue cooperation with relevant organizations and sectors in 2027. The measures aim to improve access to testing and prevention services across the province.
KPL
