World AIDS Day 2022 marked amid calls for equality
Launched in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first international day dedicated to global health. As it does every year, this day provided an opportunity for the Cameroonian government and civil society to pause and take stock of progress in the fight against this pandemic, which remains a public health issue in Cameroon.
“Push for Equality” was the theme of the 35th World AIDS Day, celebrated on Thursday, December 1, 2022, during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Public Health. In his address, Dr. MANAOUDA Malachie called on all members of the community to mobilize to address the challenges of universal access to care, to actively contribute to the fight against stigma and discrimination, and to work toward increasing preventive HIV testing in order to make a positive contribution to the eradication of AIDS by 2030.
The ceremony, attended by several government officials and technical and financial partners, also served as an opportunity to issue a passionate call for equality in the fight against HIV. Taking the floor, the UNAIDS Country Director emphasized this point, noting that in Africa, young women are the most affected and that HIV/AIDS-specific services remain low, at around 40%. Furthermore, only one-third of this population group has access to prevention services. Testimonials from people living with HIV and leaders of community networks such as RéCAP+ made this abundantly clear through a video shown during the ceremony. Testimonials from people living with HIV and leaders of community networks such as RéCAP+ made this abundantly clear through a video shown during the ceremony. The issue of equality therefore calls on all stakeholders in the response, with the government at the forefront, playing this role with distinction. Indeed, since 2020, the Government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Public Health, has decided to implement the waiver of fees for services related to HIV testing and care in public and private health facilities and their affiliated community-based organizations. With this historic decision, the financial barrier to treatment has been removed, and more people will be able to get tested, follow their treatment, and achieve an undetectable viral load.
In addition, this 35th World AIDS Day also marked the conclusion of the 7th Cameroonian Month of Action against the pandemic. The Minister of Public Health took the opportunity to thank all those who contributed to its success, but also to remind everyone that mobilizing financial resources remains a major challenge in achieving national and global goals in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Push for Equality” was the theme of the 35th World AIDS Day, celebrated on Thursday, December 1, 2022, during a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Public Health. In his address, Dr. MANAOUDA Malachie called on all members of the community to mobilize to address the challenges of universal access to care, to actively contribute to the fight against stigma and discrimination, and to work toward increasing preventive HIV testing in order to make a positive contribution to the eradication of AIDS by 2030.
The ceremony, attended by several government officials and technical and financial partners, also served as an opportunity to issue a passionate call for equality in the fight against HIV. Taking the floor, the UNAIDS Country Director emphasized this point, noting that in Africa, young women are the most affected and that HIV/AIDS-specific services remain low, at around 40%. Furthermore, only one-third of this population group has access to prevention services. Testimonials from people living with HIV and leaders of community networks such as RéCAP+ made this abundantly clear through a video shown during the ceremony. Testimonials from people living with HIV and leaders of community networks such as RéCAP+ made this abundantly clear through a video shown during the ceremony. The issue of equality therefore calls on all stakeholders in the response, with the government at the forefront, playing this role with distinction. Indeed, since 2020, the Government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Public Health, has decided to implement the waiver of fees for services related to HIV testing and care in public and private health facilities and their affiliated community-based organizations. With this historic decision, the financial barrier to treatment has been removed, and more people will be able to get tested, follow their treatment, and achieve an undetectable viral load.
In addition, this 35th World AIDS Day also marked the conclusion of the 7th Cameroonian Month of Action against the pandemic. The Minister of Public Health took the opportunity to thank all those who contributed to its success, but also to remind everyone that mobilizing financial resources remains a major challenge in achieving national and global goals in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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