U.S. Embassy Conakry Celebrates World AIDS Day

A student offers some ideas to fight against the disease (State Dept)

On December 16, 2011, the Public Affairs Section of Embassy Conakry hosted a speaker program to recognize International AIDS Day. Dr. Mahawa Soumah, Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Council of the fight against AIDS and a former IVLP grantee was the guest speaker for the event. She has conducted many activities in Guinea to fight against the stigmatization and discrimination associated with HIV. The audience of 45, including healthcare professionals and HIV infected individuals shared their own personal experiences. HIV experts explained the negative effect of stigmatization and discrimination on not only those who are affected with VIH but the entire Guinean population. The importance of regular HIV testing was also explained.