However, ending AIDS virus requires the collective efforts of all, especially those living with the virus, at risk or affected, including people that have been most excluded and marginalised.
December 1st, is set aside each year to reflect on the progress and challenges faced so far, raise awareness, and strengthen advocacy efforts towards achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. This year’s anniversary was held in the Kombo South community of Tanji on the theme: ‘Take the right path’. In The Gambia, officials claim HIV/Aids prevalence remains relatively low at 1.3%, according to the 2023 National Sentinel Surveillance. This figure in essence translates to about 26,497 people living with the virus in the country.
Mr President, there is need to break barriers or obstacles hindering or holding us back by embracing approaches that can help us attain meaningful results.
Communities need to take positive and right approach towards gender equality and human rights. This will help a great deal in combating HIV and AIDS by ensuring that everyone’s rights are protected.
Although scientific advances have resulted in effective antiretroviral treatments to suppress the virus, protecting the right to health requires ensuring that healthcare is accessible to everyone, without discrimination based on their status or background.
As stated above, issues relating to human rights violations are still hindering our collective efforts to end AIDS. While stigma and discrimination continue to thrive in communities especially against people living with the virus, there is need for paradigm shift. Let’s embrace those affected with the virus as kith and kin in view of the fact that as a close society, we are all affected directly or indirectly.
What makes the issue even worse is that people living with the virus often experience a double burden of the virus itself and of stigma around it. Thus, there is need for broader sensitisation to ensure people’s rights at all times.
Mr President, we need proactive approach now more than ever to combat this dreadful disease. We have come a long way in the fight and are not going back. With renewed hope and commitment, we can register success in this campaign.
Also, conducting awareness forums via both print and electronic media would also help a great deal. In this vein, we call on all to take the right path towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Good day!