"Let's push for equality" was the theme of the 35th World AIDS Day, celebrated this Thursday, December 1, 2022, at a ceremony presided over by the Minister of Public Health. In her address, Dr. MANAOUDA Mala- chie invited all members of the community to mobilize to meet the challenges of universal access to care, to contribute actively to the fight against stigma and discrimination, and to work to increase preventive HIV testing in order to make a positive contribution to the eradication of AIDS by 2030.
The ceremony, attended by several members of the government and technical and financial partners, was also an opportunity to launch a vibrant appeal for equality in the fight against HIV. Taking the floor, the UNAIDS Country Director insisted on this aspect, recalling that in Africa, young women are the most affected and that HIV/AIDS-specific ser- vices remain low, at around 40%. Also, only 1/3 of this category of the population has access to prevention.
The testimonies of people living with HIV and leaders of association networks such as RéCAP+ made this abundantly clear in a video broadcast during the ceremony. The issue of equality is therefore of concern to all those involved in the response, with the government in the front line, which is playing this role with flying colors. Indeed, since 2020, the Government of Cameroon, through the Ministry of Public Health, has taken the decision to implement fee exemption for services linked 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 zero viral load.
Indeed, since 2020, the Government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Public Health has taken the decision to implement fee exemption for services related to HIV testing and management in public and private health facilities and their affiliated community-based organizations.
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With this historic decision, the financial barrier to treatment has been removed, and more people will be able to be tested, follow their treatment and achieve zero viral load. The 35th World AIDS Day also marked the end of activities for the 7th edition of Cameroon Month for the Fight against AIDS.
The Minister of Public Health took the opportunity to thank all those who had contributed to its success, but also to remind everyone that mobilizing financial resources remains a major challenge in achieving national and global objectives in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
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