Monrovia – The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS or UNAIDS has released a damning report on the increasing wave of HIV/AID in Liberia.
UNAIDS is leading the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNAIDS Country Director, Madam Miriam Chipimo said currently, there are more than thirty-seven thousand people living with HIV/AIDS in Liberia and only fourteen thousand persons being aware of their status.
The UN special representative on HIV/AIDS said about 1,200 HIV/AIDS cases are reported every year across Liberia.
It is also reported that one of the key populations most affected by HIV in Liberia are Gay men and other men who have sex with men, with an HIV prevalence of 19.8%, people who inject drugs, with an HIV prevalence of 3.9%.
Madam Chipimo stressed the need for National Government to invest in the provision of surveillance drugs (antiretroviral therapy) to victims of the virus.
She spoke at a daylong National Stakeholders Consultative Dialogue on the role of the church in the health sector in Monrovia over the weekend.
The event was organized by the Liberia Council of Churches.
Making remarks, the Secretary-General of the Liberia Council of Churches or LCC, Rev. Christopher Toe said the only way the Council can successfully contribute to the country’s health sector is through proper coordination, the engagement between stakeholders and the LCC.
Rev. Toe however outlined among several challenges faced by the LCC, lack of funding, manpower, medical equipment, and facilities as impediments to the effectiveness and sustainability of adequate health care delivery services.
The daylong stakeholders meeting brought together members and executives of the Liberia Council of Churches as well as officials of the UN including the UNAIDS and other national and International organizations.