Cambodia reached a significant milestone in June by becoming the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve the United Nations’ 95-95-95 HIV control targets. These targets, established by UNAIDS in 2020, require that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are taking antiretroviral medication, and 95% of people on medication achieve viral suppression—meaning they cannot transmit the virus to partners. Only 11 countries worldwide have met this goal, with most located in Africa and Denmark representing Europe.
Cambodia’s achievement is particularly notable given that many wealthy Asian nations, including Japan and South Korea, have struggled to reach these benchmarks. According to Dr. Annette Sohn, director of amfAR’s TREAT Asia program, stigma remains the primary obstacle to HIV control in the region. This stigma, rooted in shame and discrimination, prevents people from seeking testing and treatment. Cambodia’s success demonstrates that creating healthcare environments where people feel accepted and supported is crucial to overcoming these barriers.
The country’s response to HIV was shaped by three key factors. First, Cambodia’s government and monarchy prioritized HIV prevention from the 1990s onward, implementing public health campaigns and making antiretroviral medication free through funding from the Global Fund in 2003. Second, community-based organizations developed programs led by people with lived experience of HIV, including interventions targeting sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals. Programs like SmartGirl and Srey Sros created safe spaces where peer counselors conducted outreach and connected people to medical care.
Cambodia’s epidemic peaked in the late 1990s and early 2000s when approximately 180,000 people were infected and the prevalence rate among adults aged 15-49 reached about 2%. Today, the prevalence has dropped below 0.5%, with an estimated 76,000 citizens living with HIV, the vast majority of whom are on medication. The recovery reflects decades of sustained effort, including the stories of advocates like Sophal Seum and Dalish Prum, who have publicly shared their experiences to reduce stigma and inspire others to seek care. Their testimonies underscore that life with HIV is manageable with proper treatment and community support.
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