According to UNAIDS data, 26,068 people are living with HIV and AIDS in The Gambia, and for the past year, only 14,717 know their status out of which 9,554 are receiving treatment.
Speaking at the World AIDS Day commemoration in Brikama, UNAIDS country director Ms Sirra Horeja Ndow disclosed every minute a life is lost to AIDS in the world.
She said in The Gambia, community-based organizations have played a pivotal role in achieving commendable outcomes, including a 50% progress in access to HIV treatment and a 20% reduction in new HIV infections.
“The UN system stands in solidarity with communities worldwide, calling for communities’ leadership roles to be the center in all HIV plans and programs. Together, we can make the path that ends AIDS by 2030 a reality,” said Ms Ndow.
Also speaking at the event, Momodou Nyassi, the deputy director of health services who was representing the minister of health, said The Gambia needs to redouble its efforts in improving access to testing and treatment and also address stigma and discrimination as they continue to be compounding factors to the utilization of HIV\AIDS.
Credit: Standard Newspaper