Statements and Webcast
Gambia
H.E. Mrs. Susan Waffa-Ogoo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative
10 June 2011
- Statement: English (Check against delivery)
Statement Summary
SUSAN WAFFA-OGOO ( Gambia) said this week’s forum should galvanize more action and see a recalibration of all strategies that had borne fruit over the decades in the fight against AIDS. Lauding the work of UNAIDS and the Global Fund, she said this week’s Meeting also marked another opportunity to reinforce and improve the performance.
Gambia, she said, had the strong political will to respond to HIV and AIDS, as shown by its creation of the National AIDS Council, chaired by the President, and the National AIDS Secretariat. Her Government also had championed partnerships across the social spectrum. Prevalence was relatively low in Gambia, but in 2008, HIV-1 prevalence had shown an increase. Over 2,500 people with advanced HIV infection were receiving antiretroviral treatment, while about 3,000 orphans and vulnerable children were receiving external support. “We need to do more,” she said, noting that resource mobilization, a goal of Gambia’s strategic framework, was a major challenge. Stigma and discrimination also had hampered the response.
Source: GA/11093