WHO Eritrea joined the World in commemorating World AIDS Day 2022 underneath the theme “Equalize” at Orotta Convention Corridor in Asmara on 1st December 2022.
The theme of this yr’s World AIDS Day sought to spotlight ongoing inequalities holding again the tip of HIV/AIDS and for international locations to handle these inequalities.
The nationwide commemoration of World AIDS Day was attended by MOH workers, UN Businesses, and civil organizations, together with the Nationwide Union of Eritrean Girls representatives; Nationwide Union of Youth and College students representatives, Folks residing with HIV/AIDS and College students
Giving the important thing deal with on behalf of the Ministry of Well being, Sister Nighisty Tesfamichael, Head of the Nationwide HIV/AIDS management program stated that Eritrea had made appreciable progress in direction of lowering the variety of individuals residing with HIV/AIDS although the nation nonetheless has a number of circumstances of Folks residing with HIV. She referred to as for enhanced collaboration and continuous work between MOH and well being companions to forestall the additional unfold of the illness as one of many methods to attain the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS (EMTCT). She highlighted that Eritrea has launched into a scientific journey to validate its progress to attain EMTCT utilizing WHO tips.
Sister Nighisty Tesfamichael additional indicated that Eritrea’s excellent success within the combat towards the HIV / AIDS epidemic needs to be documented and shared good follow with different international locations. She referred to as on all of the contributors to work more durable to keep up the achievement and to go far to finish HIV/AIDS epidemic in Eritrea.
The nation has achieved persistently excessive protection of ANC (above 95%) and HIV testing in pregnant ladies (above 95%) between 2019 and 2021. The HIV therapy protection in HIV-positive ladies was additionally above 95% in the identical reporting interval. The inhabitants case charge because of vertical transmission per 100 000 reside births and the HIV MTCT charge has been zero (0) between 2019 and 2021 within the nation with breastfeeding. The variety of HIV-exposed infants examined constructive at 18 months (Last Toddler Prognosis) born from HIV-positive ladies has been lowering from 1 in 2019 to 1 in 2020 and nil in 2021.
Just lately, the nation established a Nationwide Validation Committee (NVC) to supply oversight in making ready for the validation means of EMTCT. Moreover, 4 thematic technical working teams (information, applications, laboratory and gender equality, human rights and neighborhood engagement) have additionally been established and are operational and reporting to the NVC. The NVC performed a essential within the pre-validation evaluation and has recognized some gaps that the nation should shut as a way to be validated. UN and different growth companions ought to due to this fact work carefully with the Ministry of Well being to shut the recognized gaps.
UNAIDS Consultant for Eritrea, Poirier Thérèse highlighted the important function that communities have performed and proceed to play within the HIV/AIDS response on the nationwide and native ranges. She congratulated Eritrea on the achievements registered thus far and affirm that Eritrea’s continued effort to attain an HIV Free Technology and finish HIV/AIDS transmission from mom to little one by 2030, will develop into a actuality very quickly. “Allow us to preserve becoming a member of our efforts to make Eritrea free from HIV and please needless to say: to maintain everybody protected, to guard everybody’s well being, we should rise, we should equalize for all individuals!” She added.
The commemoration concerned totally different academic and entertaining actions; a few of it was common information competitions amongst college students. Testimonials from individuals residing with HIV/AIDS have been additionally delivered which acquired a giant appreciation from the contributors.
World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December annually. It is a chance for individuals worldwide to unite within the combat towards HIV, to point out help for individuals residing with HIV, and to commemorate those that have died from an AIDS-related sickness.