The Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission, Dr. Cecelia J, Nuta wants National Government to prioritize the National HIV Response through the increased of budgetary support to the Commission.
Dr. Nuta made the call last Wednesday, November 20th, 2024 at a Press Conference when she officially announced activities leading to the commemoration of World AIDS Day to be celebrated on Monday, December 1st , 2024. She said in order for Liberia to meet Goal 3.3 of the Sustainable Development Goal, which aim is to end AIDS by 2030, Government should provide the needed domestic resource allocation in the National Budget to fight HIV Response as a country. According to Dr. Nuta, the lack of budgetary support to the fight against the virus undermines efforts to sustain the gains up to 2030 and beyond.
As you may be aware, December 1st every year Liberia joins other nations to celebrate World AIDS Day of which this year is no exception with the Global Theme “ Collective Action: Sustained and Accelerate HIV Progress and the National Slogan, One Goal, One Fight: Ending AIDS Together in Liberia.
She furthered that the celebration of the Thirty Sixth World AIDS DAY Anniversary places emphasis on harnessing the significance being made through the Global and domestic HIV Programs over the years by working to ensuring that no community is left behind in the HIV response.
The National AIDS Commission Chairperson called on Liberians to join forces in addressing structural barriers such as stigma and discrimination that impedes one’s ability to access HIV testing and treatment services. “We want to remind everyone that the fight against the spread of HIV remains a national priority that requires our collective efforts, partnership and collaboration as emphasized by the national Theme; One Goal, One fight ending Aids together in Liberia” she lamented
Dr. Nuta, however, lauded the efforts by National Government and partners for their many sacrifices in making sure that the Commission is supported but stressed the need for a more intentional political will to sustain the gains made over the years, “The time to own and sustain these achievements as a country is to humbly appeal to State actors and Policy makers as well as the private sector” she disclosed.
She, however, acknowledged the many contributions made by Partners in the public sector and civil society Organizations who continue to stand up for the voiceless in the midst of challenges as a country and the world at large. She disclosed that the Government through the NAC with support from UNAIDS, has begun the development of a National HIV Sustainability Road map for Liberia intended to sustain gains made to the HIV response beyond 2030 as the Commission anticipates the draw down of donor support.
For her part, the Director for Partnership at the AIDS Commission, Madam Tracy Kyne disclosed that WAD will also be celebrated in three counties simultaneously raising awareness as well as encouraging voluntary testing. Grand Gedeh, Nimba and Grand Bassa. “We would have loved to have drawn people from the counties to join in the celebration at the national level but due to constrains, we cannot. However, we are hopeful that the next WAD we can have the needed funding to have everyone celebrate with us”.
Also speaking, the Technical Advisor at FHI360 Cytirus K. Kerbay lauded the collaborative efforts of her fellow donors and called on all to do more in supporting the response at all levels. She also stressed as per the 98 98 98, lots need to be done, especially with treatment and virus suppression while the number of people knowing their status remains at a very low pace.
At the same time, the Country Coordinator at UNAIDS, Sandei A. Cooper speaking on the three 95s, said to date, the response is at 80% with the first 95% which means 80% of those living with HIV know their status in Liberia, while the second 95 is at 98%, meaning 98% of those who know the HIV status are already on treatment. Speaking on the third 95%, the UNAIDS Coordinator indicated that the response is at 95%, meaning of the 98% of those on treatment are virally suppressed. “So we have 34,000 people living with HIV currently and of this number 27,000 of them know their status, another 26,000 are on treatment while 25,000 are viral suppressed”. He concluded