Somaliland National AIDS Commission “SOLNAC” with the collaboration of several non-governmental organizations have today organized a big commemoration ceremony in Hargeisa to mark Wold AIDS DAY which is globally held on 1st December every year since 1988. More than 300 people attended the event.
The Executive Secretary of SOLNAC Mr Abib Ahmed Ali who addressed the audience during the ceremony emphasized importance of HIV prevention and reduction of stigma against people living with HIV and AIDS.
“HIV is highly prevalent in Africa. We need to make efforts to prevent it spreading among Somaliland communities. We also need to ensure that people living with HIV and AIDS do not get stigmatized. We will keep addressing myths on how HIV spreads” Abib Ahmed says.
Among other notable guests were State Minister of Labour and Social Affiars Abdi Dahir Amoud, Chairman of Parliament Sub-Committee for Social Affairs Hassan Awale Ainan, Executive Director of SAHAN Network Anwar Mohamed Warsame, Executive Director of Somaliland Y-PEER Network Mohamed Mahad Dama, Head of Somaliland Red Crescent Society Ahmed Abdi Bakal and Dr. Abdirahman Abdillahi from Progressio. They all provided messages related to HIV and AIDS to the mainly youth participants.
Many of the participants were able to know their HIV status from a test facility made available by SOLNAC at the venue where the ceremony is being held.
Flash Group performed theater and Somaliland Y-PEER Network presented a 20-minute UNFPA-supported film on prevention of HIV and AIDS and reduction of stigma against people living with HIV.
World AIDS Day is a UN Day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease.
Bandhige Staff Writers
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