MONROVIA–LIBERIA-The National AIDS Commission has conducted a day-long engagement with private sector actors to ensure their full involvement in Liberia’s HIV Response.

 The initiative seeks to mobilize private sector partners’ commitment towards mainstreaming HIV prevention, treatment, stigma and discrimination.

It brings together officials of the Commission, stakeholders of the business community, and development partners including UNAIDS among others.

At the occasion, the Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission Dr. Cecelia Nuta reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working with every sector to ensure no one is left behind in the fight against HIV.

Madam Nuta said the HIV pandemic do not only affect the public sector but every fabric of society, urging participants to work hands in hands with NAC and the government in ending the menace.

In 2021, the National AIDS Commission and partners launched the HIV National Strategic Plan II. The five-year roadmap was to fast-track Liberia’s progress toward ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Giving the overview of the event, Madam Tracy Pency-Kyne, the Commissioner for Partnership of the National AIDS Commission, said the engagement is aimed at building partnership with all stakeholders, including private sector, to sustain gains in Liberia’s HIV response.

She noted that the initiative also seeks to mobilize private sector partners’ commitment towards mainstreaming HIV prevention, treatment, stigma and discrimination.

Private sector in every sector plays a critical role in national development by ensuring a healthy workforce.

In remarks, the President of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Natty Davis, thanked NAC for the engagement, stressing that the response to HIV has two major components, including prevention and treatment.

Mr. Davis recommitted the Chamber of Commerce’s to supporting the AIDS Commission in the fight against AID pandemic.

He wants private sector actors to build interest in the prevention of individuals who currently carry the virus and not discriminate in their respective communities.

As a development partner to the National AIDS Commission, UNAIDS Strategic Information Advisor Sandei Cooper noted major progress made by his institution and the AIDS Commission.

Mr. Cooper disclosed that the UNAIDS and partners have achieved 86, 98, and 94 percent of the 95, 95, 95 target, describing it as a huge progress over the years.

With this progress, the UNAIDS Strategic Information Advisor believes Liberia can curtail the public health threat by 2030.