Gov’t puts HIV/AIDS prevalence rate at 2.7%.

The meeting was presided over by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Malachie Manaouda, who doubles as chair of NACC. It brought together representatives from the health sector, civil society, technical and financial partners, as well as religious and community leaders.

In his address, Dr Manaouda celebrated the country’s significant achievements in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He noted that since 2018, the country has recorded a 26% decrease in new HIV infections and a 16% reduction in AIDS-related deaths, compared to 2022. 

These advancements, the minister said, have been recognised by international organisations such as the World Health Organisation, WHO, UNAIDS, and PEPFAR.

According to the member of government, key to these successes are innovative strategies, including the adoption of a WHO-recommended three-test algorithm for HIV screening and the implementation of the “Paediatric Surge” strategy, which actively targets children living with HIV, an often-overlooked demographic in the global fight against the disease.

Calls for renewed commitment

According to Minister Manaouda, despite the progress made, challenges remain, as such there is need for enhanced efforts to meet the 95-95-95 goals by the end of 2025. 

These targets, he said, aim for 95% of people living with HIV to know their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, ART, and 95% of those on ART to achieve viral suppression.

The minister also highlighted the importance of increasing domestic funding to sustain the fight, especially as international financing declines. 

He called for stronger community engagement, particularly among young people who are often at the forefront of new infections.

He equally commended the AIDS Free Holiday programme spearheaded by First Lady, Chantal Biya. The campaign this year, he said, introduced innovative approaches such as combined screening for HIV and Hepatitis B, ensuring a broader reach and more integrated health services.

According to the minister, the country’s efforts to combat HIV/AIDS align with its Vision 2035, which seeks universal access to quality healthcare. 

“Ensuring equitable access to quality health services remains a national priority,” Dr Manaouda stressed during his speech.

The path to eliminating HIV/AIDS, he noted, must be grounded in a human rights-based approach. This focus, he stated, will be a central theme of the upcoming 37th World AIDS Day on December 1, 2024, which will carry the slogan “Follow the Rights Path”. 

“With a national HIV prevalence rate of 2.7% as reported in the 2018 Demographic and Health Survey, DHS, Cameroon is determined to maintain its momentum and mobilize all sectors of society to end the epidemic,” he said.

Insists on use of Rights-Based Approach

The minister, in his remark, reiterated that achieving the elimination of HIV/AIDS requires addressing health inequities and ensuring that no one is left behind. 

“The path to ending AIDS is a path of rights,” he said, insisting the need to protect the rights of all individuals, especially marginalised populations.

Enter NACC Secretary-General

The NACC Secretary-General, Joseph Fokam, said: “We are implementing what we call community-based identification of children living with HIV who are unaware of their status. This initiative has allowed us to test nearly 1,000 children who are HIV-positive and attending our schools without knowing their condition”.

According to the NACC official, these figures will soon be updated as the government prepares to release findings from the second Cameroon Population-based HIV Impact Assessment, Camphia II. This study, led by the Ministry of Public Health, aims to evaluate the epidemic's impact and refine the country’s response.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3302 of Tuesday November 26, 2024