The 10th international workshop on HIV treatment, pathogenesis and prevention research in resource-limited settings began yesterday in Yaounde.

An AIDs international scientific conference known as the international Workshop on HIV treatment, pathogenesis, and prevention research-limited settings, INTEREST, is currently taking place in Yaounde with over 500 participants from all over the world.

Speaking during the opening ceremony yesterday at the Hilton hotel in Yaounde, the minister of Public Health, André Mama Fouda said it was an honour for the country to be hosting the conference saying Cameroon is a land of plenty and hospitality.

He said Cameroon has made an immense contribution in the research and treatment of AIDS notably through the provision of free antiretroviral drugs, reducing the prize of treatment for AIDS related diseases such as Hepatitis B and C. Minister Mama Fouda declared that Cameroon adheres to the UNAIDS credo of 90,90,90. That is, 90 per cent of people should know their HIV status by 2020, 90 per cent of people should be put on treatment and 90 per cent of people should have their viral load undetectable.

The opening ceremony was also marked by three presentations. The first was done by the permanent secretary of the National Commission for the fight against AIDS, Dr Jean Bosco Elat, who presented the situation of AIDs in Cameroon and efforts made by government to combat the disease.

He revealed that the disease was on the decline in Cameroon by 20 per cent with the prevalence rate dropping from 5.5 per cent in 2011 to 4.3 per cent currently. He however said the prevalence rate was high in urban centres and among women, youths and professional groups like the military and truck drivers.

The second presentation was done by the UNAIDS regional representative, Claire Mulanga on the theme; “Progress in scaling up HIV prevention and treatment in sub Saharan Africa, 15 years, the state of AIDS. She equally testified that the disease was in decline worldwide and on the continent but stressed on the need to attain the objective of zero infection, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths.

There was also a word from the representative of Lange Institute, Brandon O’Dell who paid homage to the founders of the institute; Prof Lange and Ms Van Tongeren who died in the Malaysian MH17 plane that was shot down over Ukraine. The conference is moderated by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Health, Sinata Koulla-Shiro who also happens to be the president of the local organizing committee.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Women empowerment and the Family, Marie-Therese Abena Ondoa, the representative of the government delegate to the Yaounde urban council and a host of national and international dignitaries.