Sierra Leone joined the global village to commemorate World AIDS Day on Thursday 1st December 2016. This year’s event stands in solidarity with the 78 million people who have become infected with HIV and remember the 35 million who have died from AIDS-related illnesses since the first cases of HIV were reported.

December 1st every year is commemorated around the globe as World AIDS Day, geared towards raising awareness about the disease, examine the strides made in combating the disease and map out new method in tackling the disease.

In commemorating this year’s World AIDs Day, the National AIDs Secretariat (NAS) in collaboration with it partners took the campaign to the Northern city of Makeni where it is believed the disease is making head way. The theme for this year’s commemoration is “Hands up for HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support”. The commemoration started in the city of Makeni with a float parade from the bus park to the city’s clock tower raising awareness, distributing condoms and encouraging people to be tested to know their status.

Executive Director of NETHIPS Idrissa Songo

Speaking at the gathering at the city’s clock tower, the Executive Director of NETHIPS Network of HIV Positives (NETHIPS), Idrissa  Songo said they represent the face and voice of the 54,000 Sierra Leoneans estimated to be living with HIV.

Mr. Songo stated that HIV will only end when the voices of infected persons are included in the fight. He furthered that the effective and efficient response to this year’s theme can only be achieved if we put an end to stigmatization and discrimination of people living with HIV, adding that ending AIDS by 2030 will be a big prank if we continue to stigmatize PLHIVs – especially those who had been bold enough to face the challenge. He continued saying that many women have faced a sad reality of broken marriages because they have been tested positive. “Stigma and discriminating are enemies in public health, “adding HIV related stigma and discrimination threatens the effectiveness of HIV prevention and care programs.

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Family, Rulansharane noted that World Aids Day is a day that looks at the successes in the fight; reflect on the challenges faced and a day when firm commitments are made to do more to overcome the disease.

He said that in meeting the 2020 target of 90% of all those with HIV must know their status, 90% of those who know their status are put on treatment and 90% on treatment having suppressed viral loads, all HIV services, treatment and treatment centers should be scaled up, He maintained that the country needs to have the requisite human resource at service delivery especially in rural areas and laboratory systems to support monitoring of patients before and after commencement of ARVs. To achieve the theme he said that the country needs to reduce all new infections, prevent mothers from dying and babies from becoming infected with HIV. He ended by saying that together we can knock out HIV if only partners work in solidarity with all people living with HIV and actively support the HIV response.

Resident Minister North, Ale D. Kamara

In his keynote address the Resident Minister North, Ale D. Kamara, stated that when the first case of HIV was registered in Sierra Leone in 1987 there was little knowledge about the diseases even among medical expert. This he maintained promoted genuine fear among health workers and high level of ignorance among the General population. He maintained that the country since then has made huge strides in terms of knowledge and awareness of the diseases, testing, treatment care and support for those infected by the disease. HIV services he said are now available in every district of Sierra Leone free of cost. He affirmed that in spite of all the efforts maintaining the prevalence to an estimate of 1.5 there is more work to be done as a nation to meet the target of making the disease a non-public health threat by 2020 and ending by 2030. He however pledged government commitment in providing HIV and AIDs related services in the country. The Resident Minister therefore called on people to be tested in order for them to know their status.

Director General of the National HIV/AIDS Secretariat Dr. Alhaji Momodu Sesay

The UNAIDS Country Rep, Dr. Michael Gboun and other dignitaries made meaningful contributions towards addressing AIDS and other related health issues in the country.

The Director General of the National HIV/AIDS Secretariat Dr. Alhaji Momodu Sesay  gave the vote of thanks.