Kenya Hosts 55th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board Session
He noted that the session would focus on a mid-term review of the Global AIDS Strategy, which aims to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Kenya Hosted 55th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board Session, paving the Wway for bold action against HIV/AIDS. Photo/ministry of Health.
The 55th UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board (PCB) session kicked off in Nairobi, marking a historic occasion as it is the first time the meeting has been held in Africa in nearly two decades.
The high-level gathering brought together global leaders, including UNAIDS Executive Director Dr. Winnie Byanyima and Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Health, Dr. Deborah Barasa Mulongo, to discuss innovative strategies for combating HIV/AIDS worldwide.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Mulongo highlighted Kenya’s significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Over the past decade, the country has achieved an impressive 83% reduction in new HIV infections and a 65% decline in AIDS-related deaths.
Dr. Mlongo emphasized that Kenya is firmly committed to eliminating HIV/AIDS, aligning with President William Ruto’s vision of universal healthcare.
She called for bold, inclusive strategies, stressing that addressing funding gaps and strengthening leadership at all levels are key to achieving the goal of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The PCB session was chaired by Mr. Harry Kimtai, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, who underscored the importance of community empowerment in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
He noted that the session would focus on a mid-term review of the Global AIDS Strategy, which aims to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
The review emphasized the need for continued collaboration between nations, the private sector, and civil society to ensure that progress is sustained and accelerated.
Dr. Byanyima, in her remarks, echoed the call for renewed global solidarity. She stressed the importance of maintaining momentum in the fight against HIV/AIDS, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted many health services.
She urged governments to prioritize HIV/AIDS funding and ensure that no one is left behind in the quest for an AIDS-free world.
The meeting in Nairobi also provided a platform for participants to discuss strategies to address emerging challenges, such as HIV prevention among young people and key populations, as well as the need for new treatments and vaccines.
The session concluded with a call for continued innovation, collaboration, and political will to ensure that the goal of ending AIDS by 2030 remains achievable.
As global leaders continue to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Kenya’s commitment to advancing health and achieving universal healthcare serves as an inspiring example for the rest of Africa and the world.
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