77,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone, with about 70,000 actively responding to treatment.
Director General of the National AIDS Secretariat, Abdul Rahman Sesay said HIV/AIDS is now a manageable condition, urging citizens to get tested and start treatment early to suppress the virus and prevent transmission.
This year’s World AIDS Day theme: ‘Take the Right Path: My Health, My Right’, underscores the importance of health responsibility and equitable access to treatment.
Sesay celebrated the country’s progress toward the 98/98/98 target—diagnosing, treating, and achieving viral suppression for 98% of people living with HIV by next year. However, he flagged stigma and discrimination as persistent barriers, describing them as critical human rights issues.
UNAIDS Country Representative Jane Kalweo echoed these concerns, noting that stigma discourages testing and treatment. She urged Sierra Leoneans to know their status and access treatment, emphasizing that stigma must be eradicated to end AIDS.
Dr. Victor Popoola of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation reaffirmed the commitment of partners in supporting Sierra Leone’s goal to eliminate the epidemic. He warned that stigma could undermine the country’s progress and called for collective action to ensure a future free from HIV/AIDS.
Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts, supported by increased awareness and accessible healthcare, bring hope for controlling HIV/AIDS and ensuring healthier communities.
