The National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) unveiled its new office buildings on Friday 14 June 2019. Supported by the Global Fund and Government of Sierra Leone. The NAS spent over $300,000 USD on two buildings in Bellair Park, off Dworzark Farm, in Freetown.

The Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Lands Country Planning and the Environment provided the land where the buildings were built. The buildings are painted brown and yellow. The property has a spacious car park that can host dozens of vehicles.

Sierra Leone joined the global village to commemorate World AIDS Day with array of events started on Friday 30^th November to the 2^nd December 2018 with the theme “know your HIV Status, rise, test and be safe” This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first World AIDS Day. Thirty years of activism and solidarity under the banner of World AIDS Day. Thirty years of campaigning for universal access to life-saving services to treat and prevent HIV.

The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat together with its partners; AIDS Health Foundation (AHF), the Network of HIV Positives (NETHIPS), the UNAIDS in S/L and many more gathered in the City of Bo southern Sierra Leone to remember the millions of people who have lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses, many of whom died because they could not access HIV services, because of stigma, because of discrimination and because of criminalization of some key populations.

The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat and partners in collaboration with local council city mayors, district

chairpersons have officially launched the CITIES INITIATIVE in high burden locations with the theme: “Ending Epidemics – Delivering Differently”.

This auspicious event started on the eve of Monday 29th May 2017 at a dinner at the Makeni City Council Hall witnessed the signing of declaration of commitment by city mayors, district chairpersons, community chiefs and major stake holders in the fight against HIV and AIDS with the First Lady as chief guest of honour.

In his opening statement, the chair of the programme, his lordship the mayor of Freetown; Sam Franklyn Baba Bordae Gibson recited how the fast-track cities initiative project came about which was part of the 2016 United Nation (UN) Political Declaration calling on countries to end AIDS by 2030, a declaration that was signed in Paris on 1st December 2014. The projects are part of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 aiming at ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

From left to right: Mr Abdulrahman Sessay - Dep. Director NAS, Patricia Ongpin - UNAIDS Strategic Policy Advisor, Jeanne Kamara - Country Manager Christian AID, Rev Alimamy Kargbo - CCM Chair, and Marie Benjamin - SWAASL.

The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat in collaboration with its partners held a three day workshop on the 9th to 11th March 2017. The aim of the workshop was to access the National HIV M&E System. The National HIV M&E Assessment is a diagnostic exercise that enables stakeholders in HIV M&E to identify strengths and weaknesses in the current system and recommend actions to improve the system.