..As Women Remain Most Vulnerable
By Amos Harris
MONROVIA – The National AIDS Commission (NAC) has sounded a stark alarm over Liberia’s worsening HIV situation, revealing that 36,000 Liberians are now living with HIV/AIDS. This represents a troubling increase from the 34,000 reported last year.
The new data, released just ahead of World AIDS Day, underscores deepening public health concerns and exposes glaring gaps in the country’s prevention and treatment efforts.
NAC Chairperson Dr. Cecelia Nuta disclosed that women remain disproportionately affected, making up the majority of new infections—a trend she described as both “disturbing and unacceptable.”
Health experts note that this pattern reflects longstanding socio-economic inequalities, limited access to essential health services, and the persistent stigma that continues to hinder early testing and treatment, especially among women and girls.
“The rising number of people living with HIV/AIDS is a stark reminder of how far Liberia still has to go,” Dr. Nuta stated, calling for urgent, targeted interventions. She stressed that without stronger domestic financing, Liberia risks losing critical progress made over the past decade.
Liberia’s health sector continues to battle chronic shortages in funding, medical supplies, and trained personnel—a crisis worsened by the lingering impact of the Ebola outbreak. HIV programs, which are heavily dependent on international support, now face the growing threat of service interruptions as donor fatigue sets in.
Public health advocates warn that any slowdown in support could spell disaster for thousands relying on life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programs, and crucial community-based testing.
Dr. Nuta challenged the government, civil society, and global partners to “move beyond rhetoric” and confront the HIV epidemic with renewed urgency. She emphasized the need to:
- Scale up testing.
- Strengthen treatment services.
- Expand targeted outreach to vulnerable groups, particularly women and young people.
“We cannot continue to overlook the communities bearing the heaviest burden,” she insisted. “Liberia needs sustained, predictable funding and bold leadership if we are to reverse the rising trend.”
As Liberia joins the global community in marking World AIDS Day on December 1, the NAC’s report serves as a sobering reminder that the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over. With new infections rising and vulnerable populations most affected, stakeholders are urging that this year’s observance must trigger more than symbolism—it must drive decisive action.
Public health observers caution that without decisive policy reforms and stronger political will, Liberia risks drifting into a worsening epidemic that could have been prevented