By Kabinneh Binnet Kanneh
Dr. Elton Coker, A microbiologist attached to the Laboratory Unit of Connaught Hospital in an interview with this medium on Tuesday March 7th 2023 has said that there is an increase in HIV/AIDS despite its free cure and extensive counselling services in all 16 Districts of the country.
Dr. Coker said, research in Sierra Leone has indicated that there are two types of prostitution, one that is opened in the Streets at Night time and daytime and the other is community base prostitution wherein underage and women are identified and don’t need to go to the Streets. He added that homosexuality is now openly practised in beaches and clubs.
He said reports show that only 0. ½ % of prostitutes do check-ups either in weekly or monthly. Another problem to fight against HIV/AIDS is that unlike other countries of the world, in Serra Leone, Prostitutes have never been registered nor issue with medical clearance tags to indicate their state of normality. He added that, the exodus of drugs such as Tramadol and Kush has added another burden to the state. He said it is not yet clear whether government or a non-government institution will take the lead and register prostitutes in notorious centers around the capital. He said out of the 16 Districts in Sierra Leone, the Western Urban/Rural have the highest which amounts to more than 68% of the total number.
Dr. Coker informs that both the young, Adolescent and old population have also embark on homosexual acts. He said before, It was extremely difficult to identify their locations unlike today, When our young generation could be located along the sandy clubs at Lumley beach road and rented domiciles. He said the homosexual cult consists of the foreign community, locals and others who are advised to have sex with their fellow men with the promise that they will attain wealth.
In the materialistic angle, Most Sierra Leonean women, Girls and even underage will easily give up for sex for cash reasons, well dressed men and those with private vehicles, leaving in a beautiful house or has an enviable officials status. It is also frequent in our detention centers and Correctional Homes, Homosexual increase is also associated with boys and youths who live in an environment monitored by their parents or guardians.
Dr. Coker says that most HIV/AIDS patients neglect to take their treatments as recommended by their doctors. He said at the referral hospital which is the Connaught hospital, for the past 24 months, over fifty HIV/AIDS patients failed to show up for medication. He said when once the pain decrease, they will integrate into society and by so doing help to spread the bacteria. He said Tuberculosis which is associated with HIV/AIDS has also doubled in the number of patients. He said this gives us reason to find new ways to combat the HIV/AIDS infection.
