Buea:The United States of America has reiterated its commitment to support the Cameroonian government in the fight against HIV/AIDS and its total eradication by 2030. The commitment was re-echoed by the US Ambassador to Cameroon, Christopher John Lamora, during an audience he was granted by the Minister of Public Health, Dr Manaouda Malachie.
According to Cameroon News Agency, John Lamora expressed his gratitude to the Cameroonian government and particularly the Ministry of Public Health for its leadership and support for actions to combat HIV/AIDS through PEPFAR (President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief), an initiative launched in 2003 by President George W. Bush to eradicate the epidemic worldwide. He affirmed the US’s readiness to adhere to the ministry’s roadmap and inquired about Cameroon’s priority needs to achieve the three 95 objectives by 2030: ensuring 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those who know their status have access to treatment, and 95% of those on treatment have a
n undetectable viral load.
Cameroon had an estimated 480,232 people living with HIV in 2022, with 9,905 new cases recorded that year, as reported by the World Health Organization. Despite the ongoing public health challenge, there has been a significant 50% decrease in HIV prevalence among people aged 15 to 64 over the past 14 years, according to the most recent Demographic Health Survey 2018 (DHS), with prevalence rates dropping from 5.4% in 2004, to 4.3% in 2011, and 2.7% in 2018.
The needs expressed to achieve the three 95 targets include strengthening the supply chain for ARVs to ensure permanent availability, enhancing the health system for improved HIV patient care, and building the capacity of Community Health Workers, whose importance was acknowledged by both parties and appreciated by the diplomat.
While awaiting the reception and study for potential funding of Cameroon’s priority needs in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the US Ambassador reassured that his country will continue to collaborate with th
e Cameroonian government for the well-being of its population.