On the 36th World AIDS Day commemoration, Liberians and partners have called all hands on deck to fight in unity to make Liberia free of the disease by 2030.
Held under the theme, “Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right”, the well-planned programmed, which began with a march from 11th Street to the Invincible Sports Parks, highlighted the nation’s commitment to eradicating HIV/AIDS by 2030, bringing together health officials, international partners, and community leaders to raise awareness, combat stigma and ensure equitable access to care.
The event brought together government’s officials, local and international partners, religious groups, students, government’s ministries and agencies, and so on, who thronged at the sports pitch for the in-door program.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Clement Peter, World Health Organization Country Representative to Liberia, lauded the country’s growth and emphasized the need for global solidarity to overwhelm the remaining steeplechases.
He extoled Liberia for making extraordinary strides, but added that challenges are on the rise for the nation to achieve the 2030 global targets. He however praised Liberia’s commitment of community leaders, healthcare breadwinners as well as international supporters.
In a patriotic tone, the Health Ministry through its representative called on healthcare personnel to be confidential, adding that that will be the only way people will go for testing and HIV patient will courageously go for treatment.
For the global “95-95-95” target achievement, Dr. Jonathan Flomo, Manager of the National AIDS Control Program, put forwarded Liberia’s progress, 80% of Liberians living with HIV know their status, 98% of those diagnosed are on treatment, and 95% have achieved viral suppression. He revealed vacuum in pediatric care and male engagement as challenges, and highlighted initiatives like injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to enlarge prevention labors.
Also speaking, Dr. Cecelia Nuta, Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission (NAC), pointed out some achievements, that ranged the establishment of 240 antiretroviral therapy (ART) to clinics nationwide and the implementation of a zero-discrimination action plan.
She urged the public to consider that “health is a fundamental human right” and not a privilege, underscoring that with unity Liberians can end AIDS in Liberia. However, she sounded a clarion called for the sustainability of the effort to attack stigma and discrimination in the society.
Meanwhile, international partners like the USAID outlined the U.S. government’s $47 million investment in Liberia through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) since 2019, and so on.
Dr. Cuallau Jabbeh-Howe, Assistant Minister for Preventive Services, called for the sustainability of Liberia’s 80% diagnosis and 95% viral suppression rates as it struggles for 98%.
However, as the 36th World AIDS anniversary concluded with unity, Liberians vowed to combat the inimical disease. A number of speakers outlined stigma, inadequate pediatric care, among others, as challenges that need to be addressed.
