The United States embassy in Freetown has donated 12 new motorcycles worth US$ 34,000 to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces for use in the forces' HIV and AIDS prevention program. This brings to 16 the total number of bikes donated since the start of the program.
According to apress release, the donation is through the U.S. Department of Defense HIV and AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP) which started in Sierra Leone ten years ago.
The DHAPP has also funded support groups, laboratory upgrades, and prevention of mother-to-child transmission.
“Peer educators in RSLAF’s HIV and AIDS prevention program will use the motorbikes to travel to military compounds and surrounding communities to provide information about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment” the release states.
After a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to mark the donation, U.S. Ambassador, Michael Owen said the DHAPP program in Sierra Leone was among the best on the African continent and served as “a model for other nations wishing to provide education and treatment of HIV and AIDS to their militaries”.
He said the role of RSLAF’s peer educators is “vitally important” to help Sierra Leone achieve zero new infections, zero stigma, and zero AIDS deaths.
U.S. Defense Attaché, Lieutenant James Ruffing encouraged RSLAF leaders “to continue to set priorities and develop plans to lead, implement, and provide resources toward programs that fight HIV/AIDS” adding that their leadership was essential for long term gains”.
The event in Freetown followed statements from U.S. President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on November 29 in which they emphasized that “the path to an AIDS-free generation is a shared world responsibility”.
According to the US embassy, “the United States is the first and largest donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria” having provided more than $7 billion to the Fund, and is supporting 6.8 million people currently receiving treatment in low- and middle-income countries.
© Politico 06/12/2012
