Panafrican News Agency

Burkinabe PM urges end to stigmatisation of AIDS patients

Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Burkina Faso  Prime Minister Christophe Marie Joseph Dabiré on Tuesday called on the public to refrain from stigmatisation of people living with AIDS.

Observing the World AIDS Day, Dabire said: "This day is the framework for demonstrations in support of people living with the virus. It is also a time to remember all victims of AIDS."

He said the theme of the 2020 edition of World AIDS Day, 'Global solidarity and shared responsibility', "invites us to avoid the stigmatisation of patients and to strengthen the fight".

"Even if our country has made considerable progress in the fight against this pandemic with a prevalence rate which is now below 1%, we must remain vigilant in order to permanently eradicate this scourge," Mr. Dabiré added.

About 86,000 people in Burkina Faso live  with HIV, including 34,000 men and 53,000 women.

-0- PANA TNDD/TBM/SOC/KND/AR 1Dec2020