Members of the High Table

As the 2015 deadline to achieving Zero New HIV Infection, Zero HIV related deaths and Zero Discrimination gets closer, the National AIDS Secretariat, in collaboration with development partners, on Tuesdays 26 March 2013 organized a day’s validation workshop on the theme “Getting to Zero”.The event took place at the Presidential Lounge of the National Stadium in Freetown.

The Global AIDS Response Progress Report (GARPR) contains data related to the national response and epidemic of Sierra Leone for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012.  The indicator set is based on the joint reporting process of the Global AIDS Response progress Report and the Universal Access.The objectives of the day’s validation workshop were to present Sierra Leone’s progress report on the national HIV response to key national, regional and district stakeholders amongst others.

Dr. Brima Kargbo, Director, national AIDS Secretariat (NAS), whilst formally opening the workshop that included key stakeholders in the national response, the United Nations Country Team, Civil Society Organizations and the private sector, stated that the commitment to eliminate HIV by 2015 were made in 2001 and 2006 during the UN Summit on HIV. He said to achieve universal access, THE Government of Sierra Leone adopted the multi-sectoral approach in 2002 to stall the epidemic, which was on the rise until 2005, when it was stabilized and currently remains at 1.5 percent.

The Director continued that one of the commitments made was to reduce HIV transmission by sexual intercourse by 50 percent as 98 percent of HIV transmission is through sexual intercourse, eliminate Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission which success story has seen Sierra Leone being used as a sterling example.  He went on to reveal that another commitment was to treat 15 million people Living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, a pledge NAS is also achieving only that NAS is faced with the challenges of follow ups of patients on treatments by nurses.

Another promise, according to the Director, is also to reduce deaths by tuberculosis by 50 percent as research indicates that 11 percent of HIV patients are also TB carriers.  Dr. Kargbo went on to enlighten that NAS and the Tuberculosis Control Programs have cross-referrals but pointed out that the Secretariat is faced with a huge funding gap of $200 million worldwide which, if not closed would amount to fruitless endeavor by partners whom he said played a critical role in achieving the successes above and urged, especially stakeholders, to continue the hard work.

Dr. Job, UNAIDS Country Coordinator, said the report has a national character through the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders for which he acclaimed all stakeholders and admonished them to make valuable contributions asserting that albeit the challenges in drafting the report, the various groups were able to commit themselves to the work of the national response. The UNAIDS Country Coordinator continued that he hopes to see Sierra Leone take the lead in Africa to achieving Prevention from Mother-to-child Transmission of HIV.

UCC Dr. Job making a statement

Lynton Tucker, Chairman, Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), the watchdog of the Global Fund, revealed that the mandate of the CCM is to oversee the Global Funds project as part of the United nations General Assembly’s commitment to achieve the 3 Zero by 2015 and called on participants to make valuable contribution.

Harry Alpha, Civil Society Representative stated that the 2010 commitment recognized the urgent need to achieving universal access pointing out that as civil society, they are well positioned to provide relevant information for achieving the goals and commended NAS for giving the Network of HIV Positives a national face and for involving them in decision-making process.

Edmond Makieu, Chairman of the opening ceremony, stated that the workshop is to give account of what the various stakeholders have been doing for the past three pears and urged all to review it carefully and make valuable contributions since the document is for international use. He also thanked NAS and UNAIDS for spearheading the process and health workers attached to the health periphery centers, especially Counselors, whose date contributed invaluably to put the document together.

Presentations by Victor Kamara on the 2013 GARPR processes data report, discussion and recommendations and next steps, formed highlights of the workshop.