Visionary Reports

The 38th edition of World AIDS Day in the Littoral region was commemorated with a call for continued vigilance and precautionary measures in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The event, hosted at the Littoral Governor’s Esplanade on December 4, provided a platform to honour and reward courageous Cameroonians who have made significant contributions to combating the epidemic in the region. Under the theme “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” the event emphasized the need for renewed commitment and innovative strategies to address the challenges posed by recent disruptions, including pandemics and social changes. This theme underscores the importance of adopting new approaches to ensure that prevention, treatment, and care services remain accessible to all. As stakeholders come together, the event not only celebrated achievements in the fight against HIV/AIDS but also reinforced the collective responsibility to forge resilient and inclusive health systems. Through such efforts, the Littoral region aims to motivate ongoing action and collaboration in the pursuit of a future free from AIDS. It emerged from the commemoration that the prevalence rate in the Littoral region as dropped from 4.5% in 2004 to 2.2 % in 2025 given a 50% drop. Laying More emphasis on the statistics the regional delegate of public health Dr. Saurel Ngo’ o Mebe added that of the infected cases 93% are aware of their status out of which 87% percent are taking their treatment. He added that at the moment 71,693 living with the virus in the region are been treated and followed up.

On his part the governor of the Littoral region and president of the regional committee for the fight against HIV/ AIDS,Samuel Dieudonné Ivaha Diboa said for the passed 38 years the government took several different measures in the fight against HIV AIDS and today the rate of infections has reduced. He added that Cameroon has also combat stigmatisation and discrimination of people with the virus .He sounded off the prevalence rate in the Littoral region has dropped by 50% which is still a course for concern. He disclosed that much is still to be done to eliminate the virus from the region and Cameroon as a whole. The governor stressed that the theme for this year’s celebration “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response” encapsulates a critical juncture in global health strategies aimed at combating HIV/AIDS. In light of recent global challenges, such as pandemics and social upheavals, this theme, he went on, underscores the urgency to adapt and innovate in the face of setbacks. He said it highlights the need to not only restore previous gains but also to fundamentally transform the response to HIV/AIDS by embracing new methodologies, technologies, and partnerships. He reiterated that by uniting diverse stakeholders, the different approach fosters resilience and creates a more equitable and effective response, ultimately working toward the global goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.Governor Samuel Dieudonné Ihavah Diboa used the opportunity to congratulate all those who have put in their best in the fight against HIV and AIDS. He then went forward to award medals to those who have been engaged in the fight against HIV AIDS in the region. It was also an opportunity for some health personnel to receive labour medals.

By Gina Esong