Newsroom
Cyprus may be small, but when it comes to tackling HIV, the island is quietly leading the way in Europe.
Health experts say Cyprus is among the first EU countries to meet, and even exceed, the United Nations’ ambitious “95-95-95” targets, considered a global benchmark in controlling HIV.
In simple terms: most people living with HIV in Cyprus know their status, almost all receive treatment, and the vast majority have suppressed viral loads, meaning the virus cannot be passed on.
Estimates for 2024 show about 94–95% of people with HIV have been diagnosed, 97–98% are on treatment, and more than 95% have achieved viral suppression. Around 2,000 people are currently living with HIV on the island.
The milestone was highlighted this week during a roundtable discussion in Nicosia held under Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the European Union, where doctors, policymakers and patient advocates discussed how the country’s experience could help shape EU health policy.
Experts say Cyprus’ progress didn’t happen overnight. Specialized HIV clinics in Nicosia and Larnaca, strong cooperation between health professionals and community groups, and expanded prevention efforts all played a role.
A major step came in October 2025 with the launch of a national PrEP program, offering free and confidential preventive medication to people at risk, even those outside the General Health System.
But speakers stressed the work is far from finished.
Stigma and discrimination remain challenges, and care is still concentrated in just two specialist clinics. As people with HIV live longer thanks to effective treatment, doctors say the focus must now shift toward long-term health, mental wellbeing and quality of life.
Cyprus’ next national HIV strategy, expected later this year, aims to address those issues while expanding social support for patients.
Health experts say the country’s biggest lesson is simple: progress happens when governments, doctors and communities work together.
For a small island, they added, Cyprus is proving that coordinated care and early prevention can make a big difference, and could offer a model for the rest of Europe.
