Health Minister Sylvia Masebo says the Government remains committed to eliminating HIV and urged communities to supplement its efforts to prevent new infections and reduce stigma.
Ms Masebo said communities should connect people with person-centred public health services, build trust, innovate, and monitor implementation of policies and services as well as hold health care providers accountable.
She said last evening when she launched World Aids Day commemoration which falls today that it was aimed at reflecting and consolidating the gains made in the prevention, treatment and management of HIV in respective countries. She said this year’s theme, “Let communities lead” provided an opportunity for communities to unite in the response to HIV and AIDS.
She said the theme placed the community at the centre of the HIV response because that was where the impact of the epidemic was felt most.
Ms Masebo said organisations for communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV should be at the fore-front of the response.
She said the New Dawn Government was committed to empowering people and their communities through decentralisation of services by taking more resources to the community through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which was increased from the current K28.7 million to K30.6 million in 2024.
Ms Masebo said decentralisation allowed the community to take charge of their health by involving them more in decision making and also providing health services right at their doorsteps.
“As we ask the communities to lead in promoting HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, the Government will also lead in various ways such as removing barriers to communities’ leadership, providing strong political leadership at all levels, increasing and strengthening internal and external partnerships that foster good health for all people,” she said.
The minister said World AIDS Day was more than a celebration of the achievements of communities but a call to action to enable and support communities in their leadership roles.
