Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-02-29 22:11:39
Discrimination in Liberia continues to impede the progress of HIV interventions aimed at ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. The National AIDS Commission of Liberia (NAC) emphasized the need for an enabling environment to eliminate stigma and discrimination across all sectors of the country on World Zero Discrimination Day, celebrated annually on March 1.
The Commission highlighted discrimination as a significant obstacle to achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030. It emphasized the importance of respecting the health rights of individuals living with HIV, key populations, and other vulnerable groups, regardless of their health status, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. The Global Theme for this year is “Protect Everyone’s Health, Protect Everyone’s Rights,” underscoring the need for vulnerable populations to feel safe and supported in accessing life-saving treatment.
The NAC called on duty bearers, healthcare providers, and social workers to address discriminatory practices in healthcare settings, such as misinformation, lack of privacy, hate messages, and breaches of confidentiality. To advance Liberia’s commitment to combating HIV-related stigma and discrimination, the Commission collaborated with stakeholders to develop the Zero Discrimination Action plan and organized a national conference on stigma, discrimination, and advocacy.
During the conference, policymakers were urged to refrain from enacting discriminatory laws, regulations, or policies and to ensure equitable access to health services for all individuals, regardless of their HIV status or sexuality. The event also called for increased political will from the Liberian government in the fight against discrimination. The NAC extended its gratitude to partners and donors, including the Ministry of Health, UNAIDS, the Independent National Human Rights Commission, PEPFAR Inter-Agencies, the Global Fund, and Civil Society Organizations, for their ongoing support in combatting stigma and discrimination in Liberia.
The Commission’s efforts align with the broader global initiative to end HIV-related stigma and discrimination by 2030. By advocating for the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their health status, the NAC is working towards a future where discrimination no longer poses a barrier to public health interventions. Through continued collaboration with stakeholders and advocacy for policy changes, Liberia is moving closer to achieving its goal of eliminating HIV-related stigma and discrimination and ending AIDS as a public health threat.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
