Guinea’s health system was devastated by the Ebola outbreak that swept through the country in late 2014 and early 2015. More than 11 300 people died in Guinea and in neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone, which are slowly recovering from the crisis.

During a meeting with Guinea’s President, Alpha Condé, on 30 March, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé praised the efforts undertaken by the government and its partners to respond to the crisis and contain the spread of the Ebola virus. Mr. Sidibé said that the AIDS epidemic and Ebola outbreak were similar in many ways, from the pervasive stigma and discrimination faced by people affected to the medical challenges posed. He also commended the government for its continued commitment to end the AIDS epidemic and discussed its plans to strengthen domestic investment in HIV services and programmes throughout the country.

In meetings with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health held during his three-day visit to the country, Mr Sidibé stressed the importance of strong and sustained investment to end the AIDS epidemic. With the First Lady of Guinea, Djene Kaba Condé, he spoke about maternal and child health and the measures required to ensure all babies are born free of HIV and that their mothers stay healthy.

Guinea offers antiretroviral treatment to all people living with HIV free-of-charge. Coverage in 2014 was estimated at 27% among 120 000 people living with HIV.