Liberia to Mark 36th World AIDS Day: NAC Calls for Collective Action

MONROVIA – The National AIDS Commission of Liberia (NAC) has officially launched activities to mark the 36th World AIDS Day, urging all Liberians to unite in the fight against HIV and work toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

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By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh @frontpageafricaonline.com

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At a press conference held on Wednesday, November 20, NAC Chairperson Dr. Cecelia J. Nuta called for collective efforts to address challenges undermining Liberia’s HIV response, including stigma, discrimination, and inadequate domestic financing. Dr. Nuta emphasized the need for partnerships and collaboration to sustain progress, as highlighted by this year’s national theme, “One Goal, One Fight: Ending AIDS Together in Liberia.”

Dr. Nuta announced the government’s ongoing efforts, with support from UNAIDS, to develop a National HIV Sustainability Roadmap aimed at ensuring the gains made in combating HIV are sustained beyond 2030. She praised international partners, including PEPFAR and the Global Fund, for their consistent support but stressed that achieving long-term success would require Liberia to take greater ownership of its HIV response through increased domestic financing.

Providing updates on Liberia’s progress toward the global 95-95-95 targets to end AIDS, UNAIDS Strategic Information Advisor Sandei Cooper shared that 80 percent of people living with HIV in Liberia know their status. Of the estimated 34,000 individuals living with HIV, 27,000 have been diagnosed. Cooper added that 98 percent of those diagnosed, approximately 26,660 people, are on treatment, and 95 percent of those on treatment, roughly 25,000 individuals, are virally suppressed.

Despite these achievements, Cooper highlighted that thousands of people remain unaware of their status, underscoring the need for expanded testing and awareness campaigns to close the gap.

In the lead-up to the December 2 commemoration at Invincible Park in Sinkor, the NAC has planned a series of activities, including media campaigns to promote HIV awareness, community outreach to reduce stigma, and stakeholder engagements to explore establishing a National Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Program.

The Commission appealed to policymakers, private sector actors, and all Liberians to actively participate in the fight against HIV, emphasizing that the journey to ending AIDS requires shared responsibility.

With the global theme, “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress,” NAC is optimistic that the week-long observance will inspire a united front in the battle against AIDS in Liberia.