The National AIDS Commission (NAC) is facing severe financial constraints as it transitions to new leadership. The outgoing leadership, headed by Theodosia S. Kolee, handed over the wheels to Dr. Cecelia J. Nutah with an account balance of less than $1,000 USD.
At the turnover ceremony, Theodosia S. Kolee disclosed that the commission’s accounts held LRD 88,049.30 and USD 273.30, amounting to less than $1,000 USD when converted. Kolee attributed the low balance to numerous initiatives undertaken by her administration despite facing significant challenges.
She highlighted several key issues during her tenure, including insufficient budgetary support, irregular attendance by the board of directors, and the absence of turnover notes when she began her role. Additionally, the incomplete board of directors hindered effective governance and the completion of the NAC restructuring process.
Despite these challenges, Kolee cited some achievements, such as securing new office space and meeting critical targets that contributed to Liberia’s progress in mitigating AIDS. However, the financial health of the NAC remained precarious, with the outgoing leadership leaving behind more hurdles for the incoming team.
Dr. Cecelia J. Nutah, the new chairperson of the NAC, outlined several programs aimed at revitalizing the commission. In her address, she acknowledged the substantial challenges ahead, including the need to improve Liberia’s progress towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets by 2030. These targets aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of those who know their status to receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment to have a suppressed viral load. Currently, Liberia has achieved 77%, 94%, and 84% respectively in these areas.
Dr. Nutah emphasized the ongoing threats to progress, such as inadequate financial support, stigma and discrimination, weak supply chain management leading to frequent stockouts of HIV commodities, and lack of political will. She stressed the importance of viewing Liberia’s HIV response from a public health perspective, ensuring it covers all individuals regardless of their background.
The new leadership identified several priority areas for action including Mobilizing Stakeholders in ensuring robust and functional response by coordinating efforts at various levels, including governmental and non-governmental organizations.
She outlined securing funding by advocating for adequate financial support from the government and establishing agreements with donors to support the NAC’s mandates.
NAC new Boss said logistical support through provision of necessary tools and resources, such as functioning vehicles and computers, for effective operations and outreach will be a priority.
According to her Combating stigma and discrimination drafting a national policy and implementing a Zero Discrimination Action Plan to reduce HIV-related stigma.
Dr. Cecelia Nutah at the same time stressed on strengthening coordination and oversight by resuming quarterly review meetings and reactivating coordination structures to improve governance and accountability.
She noted public engagement to developing a robust media and publicity strategy to keep the public informed and educated about HIV/AIDS as additional program.
The newly inducted NAC head highlighted building partnerships, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization as paramount programs that will be initiated under her watch.
Despite the National AIDS Commission, under the new leadership of Dr. Cecelia J. Nutah, is facing a daunting task, a commitment to building on past achievements and addressing the myriad challenges to reinvigorate its efforts in coordinating and managing Liberia’s national HIV response is paramount.
The success of these initiatives will depend heavily on securing adequate financial and logistical support, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and combatting stigma and discrimination to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
