National AIDS Commission and Partners hold two days validation meeting in Kakata, Margibi County.

The National AIDS Commission and Partners are currently holding a two day meeting in Kakata, Margibi County.

The two days gathering seeks to validate the National Strategic Plan III (NSP III) for the national HIV response from 2027-2032.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the vice Chairperson at the NAC, Dr. Mohammed Swaray, welcomed all participants on behalf of the Chairperson Dr. Cecelia J. Nuta and thanked all Stakeholders for their participatory role from the onset of the development period.

Dr. Swaray also disclosed that the meeting is not just a validation but a technical review process that demonstrates collective efforts and commitment to building a stronger, inclusive, and sustained national HIV response for Liberia.

The NAC Vice Chair also describes the moment which the NSP III is being finalized as a critical time where the HIV response is already experiencing major drawdown on donor support, stressing the need for a robust approach in Mobilizing Domestic resource to address lifesaving interventions.

In addition, Dr. Swaray furthered that the NSP III when finalized, will be used to engage Policymakers and State actors to Prioritize Domestic resource to sustain the gains made within the national response.

In separate remarks, Partners representing FHI360, Plan Int, and UNAIDS expressed thanks and appreciation to the Commission for its oversight role within the national response and pleaded for a more collective effort as Liberia move to ending AIDS come 2030.

“This NSP is key and very significant, because as we end AIDS by 2030, there will be no other national document develop for the response. so, we have to make it more realistic and achievable ” UNAIDS

“We are glad to have supported this process, and as we validate this Five year Strategic Plan, it’s important we remain focused on achieving the global HIV targets and Liberia’s national commitments toward ending AIDS as a Public health threat by 2030, including the triple 95 targets, reducing new HIV infections, and ensuring equitable access to quality HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services for all population ” Plan International

For his part, the Community Health Department Director (CHDD) Margibi County Health Team, A. McFarland Kerkulah lauded the NAC for the level of inclusiveness and pledged the county commitment in supporting the national response through this national instrument which serves as a tool for the implementation of the different HIV programs in Liberia..

The meeting brought together over fifty (50) participants including relevant MACS, CSOs, Implementing and development Partners, and Local government.