The report also showed a 9.6 percent increase in overall sexually transmitted disease diagnoses, while syphilis cases rose by 23 percent. The official said the increase may also indicate that more people feel comfortable seeking testing and treatment through NHI services. The NHIA figures differ from the national count of newly diagnosed HIV cases. In June, National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme Director Dr Nikia Forbes said The Bahamas recorded 142 newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2025. The Bahamas recorded 156 newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2024, up from 130 in 2023.