By zainab.joaque@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The National HIV/AIDS Commission’s Director General, Abdul Rahman Sesay, presented a budget request of SLE8,281,930 for the 2025 fiscal year during a session at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. This request highlights the need for increased funding amidst the Commission’s ongoing financial challenges and the growing demand for resources to combat HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone.
A review of the Commission’s budget over the past years reveals significant funding inconsistencies. In 2023, the Commission received full disbursement of its approved SLE2,500,000 budget. However, in the current 2024 fiscal year, only 25% of the same amount has been disbursed, indicating a severe shortfall that hampers the Commission’s ability to fulfill its mandate effectively.
The proposed budget for 2025 represents a substantial increase, reflecting the urgent need to scale up efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in the country. The request underscores the importance of stable and sufficient funding to support ongoing and new initiatives aimed at controlling the epidemic.
Sierra Leone’s HIV/AIDS Challenge
As of December 2023, Sierra Leone faces significant challenges in its fight against HIV/AIDS. The country has an estimated 77,247 people living with HIV, with 3,345 new infections reported. The epidemic is particularly severe among certain vulnerable groups:
- Overall Prevalence: Among individuals aged 15-49, the prevalence ranges from 1.1% to 1.7%, underscoring the need for sustained education and prevention efforts, particularly among young adults.
- Gender Disparities: Women are disproportionately affected, with a prevalence rate of 2.2% compared to 1.1% for men. This disparity calls for targeted interventions to address women’s specific needs.
- Key Populations: Men who have sex with men (16,126 individuals), sex workers (27,990 individuals), and transgender individuals (1,364 individuals) are at higher risk and require tailored support. The prison population has a prevalence rate of 3.7%, highlighting the need for targeted health services within this group.
Progress Toward Global Goals
Sierra Leone is striving to meet the UNAIDS “95-95-95” targets:
- 95% of people know their HIV status: Currently, 83% of the estimated 77,247 people living with HIV are aware of their status, which is a positive trend, but there remains a significant portion who are unaware, posing ongoing transmission risks.
- 95% of diagnosed individuals receiving treatment: Adult treatment coverage stands at around 86%, but only 32% of children living with HIV are receiving the necessary treatment, highlighting a critical gap.
- 95% of those on treatment achieving viral suppression: Ensuring consistent treatment and adherence is crucial for reducing transmission risks.
Strategic Initiatives and Persistent Challenges
The government is reviewing existing HIV laws to establish a more robust legal framework that protects the rights of those affected by HIV. Recently, a Sierra Leonean judicial delegation visited Nairobi to observe HIV-related legal processes, with plans to implement similar initiatives domestically, including the establishment of an HIV Anti-Stigma Court.
However, the Commission continues to face challenges. Director Sesay noted that the influx of various partners involved in HIV sensitization has created difficulties in resource allocation and operational efficiency. To address this, the government is developing an HIV Prevention Roadmap aimed at aligning all partner activities with national priorities through a performance framework.
Additionally, frequent breakdowns of essential equipment, such as viral load machines, have hindered progress. The Commission is working on establishing a framework agreement with partners to ensure that vital equipment and reagents are consistently available and properly maintained.
The proposed budget increase for 2025 is crucial for overcoming these challenges and advancing Sierra Leone’s efforts to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic effectively.
