The National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) has received a grant of forty-nine million United States Dollars from the Global Fund to boost the Secretariat’s programmes in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Sierra Leone. This was disclosed to journalists by the Director of the National AIDS Secretariat, Dr. Brima Kargbo at a press conference held at the Conference Room of the Secretariat on Monday 26th November 2012.

According to him, the Global Fund has approved the money for the Secretariat to implement its plans in the fight against HIV and AIDS for a period of three years, (2013, 2014 and 2015). This approval, Dr. Kargbo went on, was made possible following a Global Fund projects satisfactory assessment visit to Sierra Leone.

Dr. Brima Kargbo also used the forum to update newsmen on the forthcoming World AIDS Day commemoration slated for December 1st this year, on the global theme: ‘0 New Infection, 0 Stigmatization and Discrimination and 0 AIDS-Related Deaths’.

He said the day which also has its’ national theme as ‘Shared Responsibilities and National Solidarity’, will be commemorated with various activities which are expected to commence with a presidential speech from H.E. Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, street rallies from both the east and west of Freetown to the Maitta Conference Hall, inter-school quiz competitions, vigil for those killed by AIDS, inter-agency football matches, nationwide testing and free condom distributions and finally a partnership forum, where issues relating to mechanisms for government to generate funds individually for the sustenance of national response.

UCC Dr. Job Sagbohan making a statement at the Press Briefing on World AIDS Day Campaign (WADC) 2012

The UNAIDS Country Coordinator – Dr. Job  Sagbohan – underscored the importance of World AIDS Day as every single day in the year and 1^st of December show the gains and commitments made by each and every person in contribution to HIV response. He applauded the political commitment of H.E. the President and chair of National AIDS Council, the civil society and media in enhancing the national response.

According to UNAIDS, World AIDS Day has been set aside to heighten awareness on HIV and AIDS treatment, care and support. Sierra Leone was noted to be one major contributing country to the 2012 progress report which showed positive evidence to achieve the three zeros by 2015 due to the 50% drop in new HIV infections in 25 countries, around the world 13 of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.   There has been rapid progress in the global response to HIV and AIDS in the last 2 years; specifically, a 60% increase was noted amongst the number of PLHIVs on treatment, 50% reduction of infections occurred amongst children, meaning it is possible to achieve the zero new infections.

Therefore UNAIDS has set priorities on the following:

Support towards the scaling up HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT)

Support Countries to accelerate treatment as one of the key prevention strategies

Reducing funding gap through generating domestic funds, sharing responsibility and national solidarity;

Support the elimination agenda – aimed at elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV

The HCT Coordinator – Mrs. Mariana Marco-Conteh highlighted the importance of HIV testing as the gateway to prevention, treatment, care and support.  Thus, testing plays a pivotal role in achieving the ‘three zeros’.

The seven days (26^th Nov to 2^nd Dec 2012) National HIV Testing Campaign targets 30,000 people and provides opportunity for communities to access testing services with the following regional allocations:

Northern Region - 10,000                                 Eastern Region  -  6,000

Southern Region  - 6,500                                 Western Area     - 7,500

100 Teams will implement the activity; these will comprise 3 members (2 HIV counselors and 1 motivator). In addition, 524,000 pieces of Free condoms will be distributed Nationwide. The training of national Supervisors and Western Area HIV Counselors on the use of INSTI Test Kits and reporting Tools was done on Friday 23^rd November 2012. Whilst the Regional Supervisors will replicate the training in their various regions.

The Final statement was made by The Children and AIDS Coordinator of NAS – Mrs. Dilys Thompson who informed the members about the importance of the National Partnership Forum on the theme: Shared Responsibility and National Solidarity.  The Forum aimed at mapping out key stakeholders in the national response and ensuring a coordinated national response.  At the Forum, presentations will be done on the overview of the National response, discussion on recommendations of the four Regional Partnership Forum. It is expected that resource mobilization drive will be undertaken to enhance a sustainable response.  Development partners will be expected to make statements of commitment.