Speaking at a colourful ceremony held at the Ginger Hall Community Health Centre, east of Freetown, Chairman of the occasion Ahmed K. Koroma said the issue of HIV/AIDS was a global menace. He noted that they heard of the diseases years back in other countries but today the disease had spread all over the country. 

The Chairman explained that some people had a wrong mentality about the HIV/AIDS pandemic which, he said, was not real but he insisted that HIV/AIDS was real, and warned Sierra Leoneans to be careful about the pandemic.

Commenting on the issue of voluntary test, Councilor Ibrahim Kamara said it was good for people to do HIV/AIDS test, adding that “the test is done on a free of charge basis”.

 Councilor Kamara went on to explain that people would only know about their HIV/AIDS statuses when they go for the test which he said was done in secrecy in order to avoid the stigma and pointing fingers at those people with the virus. 

“Those people with HIV should go for the treatment so that they can live longer than expected as compared to those who  refused to go for the treatment”, Councillor Kamara urged.

Talking on the use of condom the vice charlady Isatu Kargbo said condoms were used for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, family planning, other transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea, syphilis, and unwanted pregnancy.

 “Women should stick to one partner and those who cannot do so should urge their partners to use condom during sexual intercourse”, she advised.

Dilating from the religious point of view, Sheku Bangura told the audience that even Islam allowed the use of condoms, adding that people should continue to use condoms and also to sensitize their partners about the pandemic.

In a brief statement, Councilor Mohamed Bobson Kamara said sexual intercourse was natural and must be done, but that people should be aware of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

“Sierra Leone is one of the less affected HIV/AIDS countries but today the disease is growing rapidly”, he explained, adding that, “women have a great role to play in minimizing the disease as they are very influential when it comes to sexual affairs”.

He told women to urge their partners to use condoms which he said was the most effective preventive method.
Making a statement, Mohamed Mathew Kamara informed the gathering that HIV/AIDS was growing so rapidly in the country, noting that in 2001 the HIV/AIDS percentage was 1.6%, but as of now it’s 2.7 %.

He explained briefly about the ABC method on HIV/AIDS sensitization, noting that, “A stands for abstain, B- be faithful and C- the use of Condom”.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sheku Bangura disclosed that the programme was being sponsored by the National Aids Secretariat (NAS) through the assistance of the Freetown City Council (FCC). He expressed gratitude to NAS and the Freetown City Council for the vital role they were playing in making their organization to succeed in achieving its goals. 

The programme was climaxed by the sharing of condoms to the community.

Keywords:  sierra_leone health society