UNAIDS Country's Coordinator, Madam Mulunesh Tennagashaw

The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat and its Partner on 24th November 2010 held a press conference at the Secretariat’s Head office at Kingharman Road, Brookfields, Freetown, where journalists were briefed about proposed national activities, available opportunities, possible challenges and the expected role of the media to ensure a very successful World AIDS Day. The theme of this years’ commemoration is “Universal Access and Human Rights.”

A blind reading the braille, while the Milton Margai school for the blind principal, Albert Sandi and NAS Director, Dr Brima Kargbo look on.

The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (NAS), In collaboration with Christian Aid, Educational Centre for the blind and Visually impaired, and development partners on Friday 5th November 2010, Officially Launched the basic facts on HIV and AIDS in Braille at a ceremony held at the Atlantic Hall of the National Stadium, Brookfields, Freetown.

The National HIV and AIDS Secretariat in collaboration with ILO/AIDS, the Ministry of Employment, Social Security and Industrial Relations with the Sierra Leone Employers Federation and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and UNAIDS convened a one-day consultation on the new International Standard on HIV and AIDS adopted at the 99th session of the International Labour Conference on 17th June 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland with a cross section of the world of work stakeholders.  The meeting was chaired by the Minister of Employment, Social Security and Industrial Relations and statements were delivered by the Secretary-General Sierra Leone Labour Congress, The Executive Secretary Sierra Leone Employers Federation, the Parliamentary Oversight Committee Chairpersons for Labour, HIV and Presidential Affairs and Defense and UNAIDS.  At the consultation were stakeholders from people living with HIV, the media, workers associations, the private and public sectors, the Sierra Leone Parliament.

The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Defense and Presidential Affairs provide oversight on all workplaces under the office of the President.  A cross section of its members met with the management of the National AIDS Secretariat on Wednesday 16th June 2010 to get first hand information on the Secretariat’s activities and to acquaint management with the roles and responsibilities of the Committee.

The Director of NAS, Dr. Brima Kargbo gave a background on the national response to HIV since the first case was reported in 1987 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.  He noted the establishment of the Secretariat and the National AIDS Council through a Cabinet Paper in 2002 to access a US$15.6 million from the World Bank to respond HIV and AIDS through a multi sectoral approach, under the Sierra Leone HIV and AIDS Response Project (SHARP).