FLASHBACK: An HIV/AIDS awareness program in Liberia
By William Selmah, wselmah@gmail.com
A huge number of people living with HIV in Liberia are said to be refusing their status, in order to go for treatment, as Liberia prepares to join other countries around the world to commemorate World Aids Day next Tuesday
Referred to as “lost follow up”, the National AIDS Commission of Liberia says people in this category have also refused to go under care as required.
The National AIDS Commission’s Director of Monitoring and Evaluation George Brown says “Normally when people do their test and are positive, we encourage them to come for treatment as soon as possible”.
Taking advantage of voluntary testing
He made the disclosure when he released the calendar of events for this year’s observance World AIDS Day in Liberia.
According to him, the estimated number of people currently living with HIV in the country is 47,000, out of which 27, 000 know their HIV status. That figure (27,000), Brown explains, applies to those who have gone to hospital and been tested.
Of the 27,000, he said 17,000 are in care and 16,000 on antiretroviral drug. According to the UNAIDS, of the estimated 47,000 living with HIV in Liberia women account for 26,000, men 17,000, while children from zero to 14 years account for 4,000.
Liberia and the rest of the world are implementing a strategy in ensuring that by 2030, 95% of persons living with HIV will know their status, 95% of those tested positive will get on treat treatment and 95% of Persons living with HIV on treatment will have a suppressed viral load.
“Our target right now is for everyone to prevent themselves from coming down with HIV”, Brown emphasized.
World AIDS Day 2020 will be commemorated under the global theme: “Shared Responsibility”.
In Liberia, the day will be observed under the national theme: “Get Involved in AIDS Together”.
Activities marking the day which kicked off November 5, will be climaxed on December 1 with an indoor program at the SKD Sports Complex in Paynesville.
First observed in 1988, World AIDS Day has be a unique gathering where governments and officials from all sectors in their respective countries have committed themselves to observing the day with speeches, forums, community awareness and media campaign on global and national themes aimed at reaffirming their commitments.