Sierra Leone has recorded a 73-percent drop in AIDS-related deaths, from 4,000 annually to 1,084, according to Sulaiman Lakoh, director of disease prevention and control at the health ministry, as the country marked World AIDS Day on Monday.
Lakoh revealed that Sierra Leone’s HIV prevalence stands at 1.7 percent, meaning roughly 2 out of every 100 people are living with the virus. He noted that between 2022 and 2025, the country achieved a 43 percent reduction in mother-to-child transmission.
“These figures show that progress is possible when science, policy, and community action work together,” Lakoh said, cautioning that barriers remain, including limited funding, weak sample transport systems, and widespread reluctance to test for HIV.
Identifying stigma and discrimination as major obstacles, Lakoh noted that HIV medications are safe and effective, urging people to come forward, get tested, and embrace care without fear.
Sierra Leone has made measurable progress, but the fight against AIDS is far from over, with the country committed to achieving the global target of ending AIDS by 2030. Enditem
Source: Xinhua
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