Journalists briefed on World Aids Day celebration
Every year 1st December is commemorated as the World AIDS Day (WAD). People and communities around the world dedicates the day to activities and events to cherish the memories of those who battles with the disease, and to celebrate progress achieved in the global response to HIV.
The National AIDS Secretariat this morning organized a press briefing for members of the press at its conference hall on Kairaba Avenue
During the event,Ousman Badjie, Director of AIDS Secretariat said that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Equalize”. This, he said, is to call on everybody to work together for the proven practical actions needed to address inequalities and to help end AIDS and that if ever they are really going to tackle the persisting inequalities that fuel the HIV pandemic, and then people must be put first.
He mentioned that over the years the face of HIV has changed and that dynamism has to be reflected on their response against the disease if they are registered as any success and that a lot still remains the same
He revealed that the latest UNAIDS data from 2021 shows their approach must change, 70% of the new HIV acquisitions globally occur among key populations and their sexual partners.
Mam Kumba Ndow Sise, Project Manager of Action Aid, said that this is a special WAD, forty years after the first cases of AIDS were reported around the Globe and that in The Gambia it is 36 years ago that the first case of AIDS was reported and yet, they are not able to test all Gambians and even those that test positive and all of them are unable to put on treatment.
She further emphasized that the commemoration of the world AIDS Day will reflect on the response to HIV/AIDS and honoring the 40-millions of the people who have died of AIDS- related illness worldwide.
UNAIDS Country Director Of The Gambia, Mrs. Sirra Horeja Ndow was also in attendance during the event.
“an equality that breaks my heart is that against children living with HIV and with the science that we have today, no baby should be born with HIV and no child who has HIV should be born without treatment . but today while three quarters of adults living with HIV are on treatment, only half of children are and this is intolerable.” Said, Mrs. Sirra Horeja Ndow, UNAIDS Country Director Of The Gambia.
Mrs. Sirra Horeja Ndow further concluded that the word “Equalize” is for adolescent women and girls to access rights and services, for marginalized people to be descriminalized and destigmatized, for children living with HIV to gain easy access to health services and treatment, and for easy access to best science and medicine.
