– Toward People Living with the illness
MONROVIA – The Chairperson of the National AIDS Commission (NAC), Dr. Cecelia J. Nuta, has called for a concerted effort to eliminate stigma and discrimination against people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Liberia. HIV is a virus that attacks the body’s immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to infections. Dr. Nuta emphasized that stigmatizing those with HIV is not only harmful but also counterproductive to national efforts to combat the epidemic.
Dr. Nuta made these remarks during a Private Sector Engagement Forum for Total Involvement in Liberia’s HIV Response, organized by the National AIDS Commission on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at a local hotel in Monrovia. She stated that by addressing stigma and discrimination, Liberians can create a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of HIV status, can live with dignity and access necessary care and support.
The NAC Chairperson revealed that an estimated 36,000 people in Liberia are living with HIV, including both adults and children. She emphasized that for Liberia to meet its global target of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, stakeholders including the private sector must engage in sustained dialogue to support interventions in the national HIV response.
Dr. Nuta further indicated that HIV-related stigma and discrimination remain harsh realities for many affected individuals. She stressed the need for collective action to change societal attitudes and ensure the protection of rights for people living with HIV.
Representatives from the private sector, including Mr. Naty O. Davis, President of the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, Mr. James Strother, President of the Liberia Business Association, and Mr. Sander A. Cooper, praised the NAC for organizing the forum. They pledged their support to join the commission in the fight against HIV, emphasizing the importance of reducing stigma to ensure people feel confident accessing life-saving treatment.
The private sector leaders affirmed that reducing stigma means upholding human rights standards and ensuring no one is denied care based on health status or sexuality. They committed to supporting efforts that promote dignity and equitable access to healthcare services for all Liberians.
Madam Tracy N. Pency-Kyne, Commissioner for Partnership at the National AIDS Commission, provided an overview of the national HIV strategy. She explained that in 2021, the NAC and partners launched the HIV National Strategic Plan II (NSP II: 2021–2026), a five-year roadmap to accelerate progress toward ending AIDS by 2030.
The NSP is aligned with UNAIDS Fast-Track and 95-95-95 targets and is guided by Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all. The plan focuses on preventing new HIV infections, reducing AIDS-related deaths, and strengthening treatment, care, and support across all sectors.
Commissioner Pency-Kyne highlighted that the NAC is actively building partnerships with all stakeholders, including the private sector, which is essential for sustaining progress in Liberia’s HIV response. She noted that while the private sector plays a critical role in national development by maintaining a healthy workforce, its involvement in HIV efforts has historically been underutilized.
The forum aimed to strengthen collaboration and mainstream HIV issues within private sector operations. Commissioner Pency-Kyne described the event as a defining moment to build strong partnerships that will contribute meaningfully to the HIV response.
She outlined key objectives of the engagement, including promoting healthy behaviors among employees and the public, mobilizing domestic resources to sustain the HIV response, and securing private sector commitments to mainstream HIV prevention and anti-stigma measures.
The commissioner also emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships between the NAC and private sector entities for a well-coordinated HIV response. She added that the forum would help promote awareness of the HIV Workplace Policy and encourage public-private initiatives to support employees affected by HIV.
