The Director of National AIDS Secretariat (NAS), Dr. Brima Kargbo has disclosed that 276 (Two Hundred and Seventy Six) people tested HIV/AIDS positive in 2009.

"Out of this number, one hundred and eighty one were females and ninety four were males" Dr. Kargbo disclosed in a press briefing on Friday 29th February 2010 at the NAS Secretariat in Freetown.

The press briefing was summoned to inform journalists about the outcome of the WADC, especially with HIV tested results, challenges and lessons learnt.

The NAS Director used the forum as an opportunity to encourage the media to continue it support towards the fight against AIDS via putting out messages preaching the reality of AIDS.

He disclosed that cabinet has already approved the Prevention and Control Act of 2010, adding that it is now left with the Attorney General to put modalities in place for the attention and subsequent approval of the Sierra Leone Parliament.

He mentioned that the government has proved very active in the fight against the pandemic.

According to Dr. Kargbo, 6,800 pregnant women together with their male partners were expected to be tested but the total number of people tested was 9,814, with 2,519 being males and 7, 219 being females.

"Out of the total number of 9, 814 tested, 276 were tested positive with 181 females and 94 males" he explained.

Dr. Kargbo emphasized that the number of people tested does no reflect the country’s national population, whilst noting that the results were only derived from the 90 sites across the country, including rural and urban area.

Dr. Brima Kargbo said 50% fifty percent of the funding of the World AIDS Day celebration came from Concern Worldwide, adding that by 2015, there will be a decrease in the number of people infected as they are now taking their drugs

Gender Mainstreaming Coordinator, HIV/AIDS, Concern Worldwide, Madam Wairimu Munyinyi, said testing HIV/AIDS positive does not imply a death sentence, noting that Concern Worldwide was pleased with the commitment of NAS and enthusiasms so far demonstrated by non governmental organizations and UN agencies.

According to her, the main reason behind the huge support is in line with the global strategy to militate against the spread of HIV, especially amongst vulnerable groups including women and children.

She furthered that the spread of HIV/AIDS poses a negative impact on development, thus the intervention and support of humanitarian organizations to halt a global catastrophe.

She said her organization is particularly pleased with the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), which according to her has played a major role towards the achievement of the rights to good health and long life.

Madam Wairimu Munyinyi recommended that all stakeholders should double up efforts towards the struggle against HIV/AIDS.

"Let us commit to translate last year’s WADC effort into practice so that we can achieve change for our communities’ women and children" she appealed, whilst emphasizing the need for a legal framework for those affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.