A large quantity of food, made up of oil for consumption, rice, sugar, milk, millet, sorghum, maize, pasta (spaghetti), etc., is the donation that has just been made the Head of State to people living with HIV. The official ceremony of this gesture from the heart of Colonel Assimi GOÏTA in favor of PLHIV, on the threshold of the month of Ramadan, took place this Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the headquarters of the High National Council for the Fight against AIDS (HCNLS), at the ICA 2000.
The ceremony was chaired by the Executive Secretary of the HCNLS, Dr. Issiaka Moumine KONE; in the presence of the Secretary General of the Malian Federation of People Living with HIV (FMA-PV-VIH), Mohamed Youssouf MAIGA; and beneficiaries.
After handing over a few bags of food to the beneficiaries, Dr. Issiaka Moumine KONE stressed that the HCNLS wanted to organize this ceremony to show the Head of State’s commitment to supporting PLHIV.
“He instructed us to do everything possible so that PLHIV could not lack anything, namely: drugs, biological examinations, protection and social inclusion”, he said.
In terms of social inclusion, the President of the transition, Colonel Assimi GOÏTA, he explained, asked the HCNLS to do everything possible so that this category of vulnerable people cannot fail to live for the blessed month of Ramadan.
From his intervention, it appears that there are more than 200,000 PLHIV in Mali. Aware of the fact that the quantity of food received cannot be enough for everyone, Dr. KONÉ invited the leaders of the PLHIV network to prioritize the most vulnerable members within the framework of this operation.
Before ending, he made a point of thanking the Minister Commissioner for Food Security for his support before the guest to stay with PLHIV.
Moreover, he called on all Malians to show solidarity with these people who are none other than our relatives.
Dr KONÉ took the opportunity to explain that the prevalence in Mali is estimated at 1% of the national population. This prevalence is higher among sex workers and certain strata called key people, such as those who use injectable dams and transgender people.
“HIV is a public health problem in Mali, we must be aware of it. Everyone must mobilize so that we can cut the chains of transmission, in particular in the mother and the child”, launched Dr KONE.
By receiving these donations, the secretary general of the Malian Federation of people living with HIV (FMA-PV-VIH), Mohamed Youssouf MAIGA, on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude to President Assimi for this timely gesture. named when we know that Ramadan is often a source of concern for vulnerable households.
“We will ensure that these products reach the real beneficiaries,” reassured M.MAIGA.
By Abdoulaye OUATTARA