2006 Press Releases

The United States Assists the RSLAF Fight HIV/AIDS

July 11, 2006

US Embassy Freetown

Contact: Public Affairs Officer; Tel: 226481

The United States Deputy Ambassador, James Stewart, and Defense Attaché Lt Col Gia Cromer congratulated graduates of the first HIV/AIDS Laboratory Technicians Course on July 11.  Captain Penn-Timity of the RSLAF HIV/AIDS office led the graduation ceremony for eight RSLAF military personnel in Wilberforce, Freetown. Among the dignitaries participating in the ceremony were Brigadier A.C. Nelson-Williams, Deputy Chief of Defense Staff; Col Dr. J. Samba, RSLAF HIV/AIDS Coordinator; Dr. Brima Kargbo, Director of the National AIDS Secretariat; Dr. Leopold Zekeng, Country Representative for UN AIDS; Prof. S.M. Gevao, Principal COMAHS; and Dr. (Mrs.) I.M. Wurie, Director of Ramsey Laboratories and Course Director for the program. The certificates were distributed by Mr. Stewart to the following graduates:
S/Sgt Thoronka FS
Cpl Davowa A
l/Cpl Bockarie AS
Cpl Thoronka M
Pte Samu AT
Pte Aruna SA
Pte Sam J
Pte Morovia PG
The graduation marked the completion of a twelve-week training program funded by the United States Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP) office. Training was led by Ramsey Medical Laboratories in Freetown to prepare soldiers for staffing Voluntary Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT) centers at satellite laboratories in the RSLAF brigade headquarters. These centers are currently under construction. The staffing will further efforts to increase voluntary HIV/AIDS counseling and testing for military personnel, dependants and host communities.
After the graduation and until completion of the VCCT centers, the soldiers will be sent on a four month apprenticeship to continue their practical studies in military and civilian laboratories within the Freetown area. The apprenticeship program is the first collaboration of its kind between the DHAPP, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, and the National AIDS Secretariat offices.
The United States government provided Le 20,000,000 to fund this initiative which is a demonstration of the commitment of the United States Department of Defense to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Lt Col Gia Cromer, the DHAPP representative to Sierra Leone said, “We are very encouraged by our first collaborative effort with these offices, and hope to continue our relationship to the benefit of the military and civilian population of Sierra Leone.”