2025 World AIDS Day: North West Renews Call for Commitment, Community Leadership and an AIDS-Free Future
The North West Region has joined the rest of the country and the global community in commemorating the 38th edition of World AIDS Day, under the theme “Overcoming Disruptions and Transforming the AIDS Response: Rethink, Rebuild, Rise!” The event, held at the Conference Hall of the North West Regional Fund for Health Promotion. It brought together government officials, health experts, community leaders, youths, and partners to reflect on progress made and recommit to ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
On his part, the Regional Delegate for Public Health, Dr. Ambe Leonel Neba, delivered a comprehensive assessment of the region’s HIV response and highlighted both achievements and persisting gaps. He reminded attendees that World AIDS Day serves as a moment of remembrance, accountability, and renewed purpose.
Progress Amid Crisis
Dr. Ambe noted that despite nearly a decade marked by socio-political instability in the region and global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the North West has continued to register meaningful progress.
According to the senior public health official, from January to September 2025, 131,733 people were tested for HIV, 1,191 were newly diagnosed (0.9% positivity rate), and 84.1% of those were linked to treatment.
In the domain of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), he disclosed that 27,003 pregnant and breastfeeding women were tested, 785 tested positive (3.0% prevalence), and 89.8% of them were placed on treatment and of 1,116 HIV-exposed infants tested, 20 were positive, with 95.8% initiated on treatment.
These outcomes, Dr. Ambe Leonal emphasized, reflect "a lot of progress" toward the global 95-95-95 targets, ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment achieve viral suppression.
As of September 2025, the North West achieved 88% for the first 95, 97.4% for the second, and 95.5% for the third
While adult indicators show strong advancement, the North West Public Health boss highlighted a concerning gap in children aged 0 to 15, where coverage remains lower. “With the right commitment and continued community mobilization, this gap can be closed,” he said.
A Resilient but Challenged Response
The Regional Delegate revisited the disruptions faced over the last nine years, including roadblocks to the transportation of medications and service interruptions in conflict-affected areas. Yet, stakeholders managed to intensify prevention, treatment, and community outreach in November, Cameroon’s dedicated AIDS Month.
“We are here because of collective effort,” Dr. Ambe said, expressing special appreciation to the Governor of the North West Region, who serves as President of the Regional AIDS Control Committee.
He reaffirmed the health sector’s commitment to pursue epidemic control under the Governor’s leadership.
Governor’s Representative: “AIDS Is Beatable — Let’s Finish the Job”
Representing the Governor, Djunang Marceliout, Head of the Economic, Social and Cultural Affairs Division of the Governor’s Office, stressed the need for resilience and transformation in the HIV response. He hailed community leadership as the backbone of progress and placed particular emphasis on youth engagement.
“The highest prevalence is between ages 18 and 25,” he warned, addressing the hall filled with youth groups. “If you are here today, you must become an agent of change.”
He reiterated the life-saving message of the global U=U campaign—Undetectable equals Untransmissible—encouraging all attendees to share accurate information within their communities.
“HIV testing is free. Treatment is free. And if you stay on treatment and reach undetectable levels, you cannot transmit the virus,” he emphasized.
City Council Representative Calls for Deeper Community Awareness
In a warm welcoming address, Chambi Julie Andam, representing the Bamenda City Mayor, reminded the audience of the crucial role every citizen plays.
“There was a time when talking about HIV sounded like a death sentence,” she said. “Today, thanks to the government and partners, we are seeing reduced infections and better care.”
She urged youths to take the day’s messages back to their communities and use skits, presentations, and peer discussions as tools for awareness.
“We can achieve an AIDS-free community if each of us respects the prevention measures and encourages others to do the same.”
A Unified Call for Sustained Action
Across all interventions, speakers echoed similar theme, which is to strengthen community-led initiatives, close treatment gaps for children and hard-to-reach groups, fight stigma and discrimination, empower youths to lead prevention efforts, promote consistent HIV testing and treatment adherence, and leverage digital tools to expand outreach and education.
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