By Hajaratu Kalokoh
Sierra Leone on Sunday commemorated World AIDS Day amidst commitment from the government and partners to tackle the pandemic by providing services to all infected people and protecting the rest of the population.
The National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) and its partners converged at the forecourt of the Youyi Building in Freetown to listen to statements from various stakeholders, after a march past across the streets of Freetown.
President Julius Maada Bio delivered the keynote address in a recorded message to the audience. He noted that as indication of its commitment to eradicate HIV, his government declared the disease a public health concern. And he praised the role partners have played in keeping infection rates in Sierra Leone on check.
“We salute the courage of compatriots who are infected and who are receiving free treatment. Because of your example we have stabilized HIV prevalence rate, reduced new infection rate, and increase the number of Sierra Leoneans on treatment,” he said.
Bio added that in line with his government’s priority to provide access to quality and affordable healthcare for every citizen, his administration was investing in building a resilient health care system and that this included a commitment to providing equitable and free HIV services to every Sierra Leone “in a stigma and discrimination free environment.”
This year’s World AIDS Day was commemorated on the theme: “Community Makes The Different To End AIDS by 2030.”
Latest Statistics from NAS and UN agencies show that new infection rate of HIV continues to go down in Sierra Leone.
As of 2018, 4, 100 new cases were recorded, down from 4, 700 new cases in 2015.
The latest figures also reveal a continued downward spiral of new cases in the country with one of the lowest HIV prevalence rates in the world.
Sierra Leone has an HIV prevalence rate of 1.5%, according to NAS figures.
World AIDS Day is commemorated every December 1, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the disease in terms of prevention, control and treatment.
The theme for commemoration recognizes communities as important actors in the fight against the epidemic at international, national and local levels.
The Freetown match past by representatives of the various partner organizations commenced from Victoria Park in the center of Freetown to Youyi Building.
Western Regional Coordinator of the Network of HIV Positives in Sierra Leone (NETHIPS), Wilhemina Bah explained that this year’s commemoration was meant to reflect on past commitments, achievements challenges and the available resources.
“As a vibrant community of people living with HIV and affected by HIV, NETHIPS understands the value of empowered community advocates over the years. Advocates around the world like NETHIPS have through their work over the years amplified the innovative approaches to respond to the HIV/Aids pandemic. We will continue to work together with our partners to end HIV& Aids and the dangerous stigma that surrounds its,” she said.
She added: “These global advocates are leading the way in their communities to support people living with HIV to get the needed services. Our innovation is, making a tangible difference not just in our communities, but also around the world.”
She went on: “For instance, the issue of persistent stuck out of HIV drugs and other HIV commodities has been a serious concern not only for NETHIPS, but also for other national networks of PLHIV in west Africa. This is because it has to do with the life and wellbeing of our members.”
Stigma and discrimination are said to be two major obstacle to the fight against HIV the world over. In Sierra Leone, this situation has forced many to refuse to disclose their identity.
Fund Portfolio Manager, Global Fund, Lionel Caruana, explained the importance of health service provision in the fight against HIV.
“As well as saving lives, providing those infected with HIV with antiretroviral treatment is an essential part of the strategy to reduce new HIV infections. But to cut new infections more swiftly, we must tackle the high rate of new HIV infection among adolescent girls and young women, and the extremely high prevalence of HIV among key populations,” he said.
Copyright © 2019 Politico Online
