Commemorating World AIDS Day 2025 in the North West Region
On the occasion of the 38th World AIDS Day, Dr. Ambe Lionel Neba, Regional Delegate for Public Health, addressed distinguished guests and the community at the North West Regional Fund for Health Promotion. This year’s theme, "Overcoming Disruptions and Transforming the AIDS Response: Rethink, Rebuild, Rise!" underscores the urgency to address challenges such as funding cuts and service disruptions in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Neba emphasized the significance of this day, highlighting the global cooperation among Cameroonian regions, other nations, and key international partners, including the World Health Organization and UNAIDS, to commemorate the ongoing struggle against AIDS, which has persisted for 44 years.
Key Highlights from the Speech
Current Landscape of HIV/AIDS: The last decade has seen significant upheavals, including a socio-political crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, which compounded the difficulties in transporting HIV medicines and commodities. Yet, in spite of these challenges, the North West Region has made considerable strides in HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support for people living with HIV.
Progress Towards Goals: UNAIDS aims to achieve the 95-95-95 targets by 2025, meaning that 95% of those living with HIV should know their status, 95% of those diagnosed should receive treatment, and 95% of those on treatment should achieve viral suppression. Current statistics reveal that globally, among the estimated 40.8 million people living with HIV, 87% know their status and 89% are receiving treatment.
Local Achievements: In Cameroon, HIV prevalence has decreased from 4.3% in 2011 to 2.7% in 2018. In the North West Region, significant drops were noted, from 8.7% in 2004 to 4% in 2018. Between January and September 2025, 131,733 persons were tested for HIV, with 1,191 newly diagnosed. Notably, 84.1% of those diagnosed were linked to antiretroviral therapy.
Focus on Maternal Health: The prevention of mother-to-child transmission remains a priority, with 27,003 pregnant and breastfeeding women tested, leading to 89.8% treatment initiation among those testing positive.
Future Directions
Dr. Neba called for increased community engagement and education to combat discrimination against individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. He urged stakeholders to enhance their efforts in promoting support for marginalized groups, underlining that closing the gap in healthcare access, especially for children and adolescents, is critical for achieving the goal of ending AIDS by 2030.
Community Commitment Amid Challenges
Despite the ongoing socio-political crisis and disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, community members and health providers have shown resilience and dedication. Dr. Fozao MBI Vanessa, Country Representative for PATA, acknowledged the barriers faced, including insecurity and health-system instability, which threaten HIV service delivery.
She stated, “Despite these barriers, our commitment remains. We must urgently pivot our efforts to enhance the quality of screening, particularly for vulnerable populations such as adolescents, children, and pregnant women.”
A Day of Activities
The celebration of World AIDS Day featured a variety of activities designed to raise awareness and foster community engagement. Highlights included:
AIDS Walk: A group march from the Regional Hospital Bamenda through various localities to promote awareness.
Dance dramas, songs, and poems to spread messages of hope and support for those living with HIV.
Participation from various NGOs and associations to demonstrate solidarity and share resources.
The World AIDS Day 2025 celebration serves as both a reminder of the challenges faced in the fight against HIV/AIDS and an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to resilient healthcare systems and equitable health responses. As the North West region navigates these tumultuous times, the resolve to "Rethink, Rebuild, and Rise" stands strong, dedicated to the health and well-being of communities.
By Bamenjo Petronilla