Monrovia, Liberia – Liberia joins the global community in commemorating World AIDS Day on Monday, December 2, 2024, following a proclamation by His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. The day, officially marked on December 1 annually, has been declared a working holiday in recognition of the United Nations’ efforts in combating HIV/AIDS worldwide.
The global theme for 2024, “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress,” and the national theme, “One Goal, One Fight: Ending AIDS Together in Liberia,” reflect Liberia’s commitment to intensifying efforts to eradicate the epidemic. The proclamation calls on government ministries, agencies, local and international organizations, and citizens to support the National AIDS Commission in organizing activities befitting the occasion.
According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), approximately 39 million people globally were living with HIV by the end of 2023. While annual deaths from AIDS-related illnesses have decreased by 51% since their peak in 2004, over 630,000 people succumbed to the disease last year, highlighting the need for sustained global action.
In Liberia, the National AIDS Commission reports that approximately 42,000 people are living with HIV, with a prevalence rate of 1.3% among adults aged 15-49. While progress has been made in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), significant gaps remain in testing, treatment, and public awareness, especially in rural areas.
The proclamation underscores the Liberian Government’s resolve to improve the health and well-being of its citizens by promoting policies and programs that prevent the spread of HIV, reduce AIDS-related mortality, and eliminate stigma and discrimination. “The citizenry of Liberia constitutes a vital resource for the nation, and improving their quality of life remains a top priority,” the document stated.
The Government’s policies align with those recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS, emphasizing awareness, prevention, and treatment as pillars of the national response to HIV/AIDS.
World AIDS Day, first observed in 1988, is a time to reflect on the progress made and the challenges that persist in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Since the first cases were reported in 1981, the epidemic has claimed 40.4 million lives globally. Advances in medicine and public health strategies have transformed HIV from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable condition for those with access to treatment.
The National AIDS Commission, in collaboration with local and international partners, outlined a series of activities to mark the day, including free HIV testing and counseling in all 15 counties, public awareness campaigns focusing on prevention, stigma reduction, and the importance of treatment adherence, workshops targeting youth and vulnerable populations to foster education and community engagement among others.
Additionally, candlelight vigils to honor lives lost to AIDS-related illnesses were included in the line of activities.
The Government’s call for collective action emphasizes that defeating HIV/AIDS requires the involvement of all Liberians. As the national theme suggests, “One Goal, One Fight: Ending AIDS Together in Liberia,” collaboration between government institutions, healthcare providers, and communities is essential to achieve an AIDS-free generation.
Liberia’s observance of World AIDS Day reminds us of the importance of solidarity in addressing one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. With sustained efforts, Liberia can accelerate progress and contribute to the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
