![](https://sbm.sb/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-08-at-10.37.50-AM.png")
HIV cases recorded in Solomon Islands this year are already nearing last year’s total, with health authorities warning that the actual number of people living with the virus could be significantly higher.
Director of the HIV, STI and Viral Hepatitis Program at the Ministry of Health, Dr Jackson Rakei, made the warning during a TB and HIV Talkback programme on SIBC this afternoon.
Dr Rakei said 111 HIV cases have been recorded since the first case was identified in the country, with 29 people having died.
A total of 34 new cases were recorded in 2025.
He said some of those who died had other illnesses, while 72 people are currently receiving treatment.
The majority of people diagnosed with HIV are males, he said.
Dr Rakei said the current figures could represent only a small fraction of the actual number of people living with HIV in Solomon Islands.
He said health authorities were increasingly seeing people with advanced HIV infections being admitted to hospital and subsequently dying.
“The concern is that health authorities have seen people with advanced HIV infections being admitted to hospital and later dying,” Dr Rakei said.
“This indicates that some people may have been living with HIV for a considerable period—possibly two years or more—without knowing their status. During that time, they may have unknowingly transmitted the virus to others.”
Dr Rakei said many people remain unaware of their HIV status because they have never been tested.
“A lot of people do not know their HIV status until they are tested. We believe there are people in Honiara and communities around the country who may be living with HIV without knowing they have the virus,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the number of young people testing positive for HIV.
“We are also seeing a number of young people testing positive for HIV, which indicates that the virus continues to circulate while many people remain unaware of their status,” Dr Rakei said.
He said HIV testing coverage has also remained low in recent years.
Health authorities are now working to increase HIV testing coverage and are encouraging more people to come forward and know their status.
“We are appealing to the public to come forward for HIV testing and know their status. Early diagnosis allows people to begin treatment early and helps prevent serious complications and deaths associated with HIV,” Dr Rakei said.
With three months remaining in 2026, health authorities are concerned that the number of new HIV cases could soon surpass the 34 cases recorded in 2025.
