The Director General for the HIV/AIDS Secretariat Abdul Rahman Sesay says “condom use is declining”, and the secretariat would want to roll out Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for sex workers.

He was speaking during the budget hearing at the Ministry of Finance in Freetown. He explained that most sex workers do not use condoms in their trade and are paid more for sex without condoms than the other way round.

Sesay said people have been refusing to use condoms and cannot be forced but PrEP can be an alternative that can be rolled out for prevention. He explained that when one is tested negative, that individual is put on PrEP medication which is a lifelong treatment to protect the sex workers, and allow them to continue with their trade.

When asked why focus on sex workers, he explained that they are a vulnerable population that they are at risk of contacting HIV, and are therefore the targeted population. He said they now focus on the key population such as those men having sex with men, most of whom do not have lubricants and refuse to use condom. He stated that they would have to be given PrEP to protect themselves, affirming that it is the Secretariat’s duty to protect female sex workers and men having sex with men.

Speaking on screening tools, he explained that they have been placed in some pharmacies, with one screening tool costing eight dollars equivalent for those who can afford while others can test at health facilities.

The DG during his presentation talked about new and ongoing projects involving French expertise’s support in improving access to HIV services for youths aged 15-24 years using patient-centered approach in Sierra Leone, specifically in Koinadugu, Falaba and Bombali districts from 2022-2025.

Responding to question on confidentiality and how leaked information causes trauma for people with HIV/AIDS, the DG said they have been trying very hard to ensure that confidentiality is met. He explained that social media has really caused trouble, noting that some people put fake information together on social media as if it was done by an institution as was experienced by Marie Stopes Clinic. The wage bill together with the recurrent for 2022 is Ten Billion.