Sierra Leone

Looking For HIV Testing in Sierra Leone? Find HIV Center

AHF made its foray into Sierra Leone’s HIV response by participating in the 2009 World AIDS Day events led by the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS). By December 2010, AHF supported the testing of over 20,000 people during the World AIDS Day celebration; as a result, NAS invited AHF to establish a more permanent presence in Sierra Leone to support HIV prevention, treatment, and care services. In April 2011, AHF donated $10,000 to support the renovation of the National Reference Laboratory at Lakka, which stands today as the only laboratory of its kind in the country. In July of the same year, AHF registered officially in Sierra Leone as an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO); the first INGO and currently the largest INGO provider of free HIV/AIDS care and treatment services in the country.

The Operations started in September 2012 at the Jenner Wright Clinic, Freetown with zero clients, four full-time staff and an Independent Contractor. At the end of the year we were only able to serve 23 clients. In 2013 we expanded our support to Waterloo, which was an existing treatment site with about 300 clients and by 2014 we started supporting the Kenema Government Hospital but could not expand beyond Kenema township because of the Ebola outbreak. Towards the end of 2015, we started a Wellness Clinic – an AHF owned clinic (that provides Family planning services, TB and STI management in addition to HIV care and treatment); and expanded to Panguma Hospital and Tongo CHC. We expanded to Bo and Makeni Government hospitals and 3 outposts in Makeni and 2 outposts in Bo in 2016. In 2018, we extended our support to the Connaught HIV clinic and Kissy UMC General Hospital in 2019 to Magburaka and Moyamba Government Hospitals, in 2020 to Princess Christian Maternity and Ola During Children Hospitals, and in 2022 to Kailahun Government hospital. The program has grown rapidly over the past 10 years and currently supports Fifteen (15) comprehensive clinics and 16 outposts (satellite sites) (nationally 31 treatment sites) with about 23,314 clients i.e. about 49% of clients (47,503 – NACP Program Data June 2022) in care nationwide. Every site where we have a presence is renovated to ensure a conducive and friendly environment for both clients and staff. All services are FREE and coordinated by a team of committed and dedicated local experts.

In collaboration with and support from strategic partners like NAS, NACP, NETHIPS etc. AHF provides
• Condoms (Love and Icon) through the facilities, outreaches, campaigns, condom dispensers etc.;
• HIV testing services – PITC, VCCT and now promoting family and index testing;
• ARVs (97% from government) as a buffer stock;
AHF supports 9 Laboratories with basic reagents, consumables and equipment and continues to support basic diagnostic tests for clients, facilitation of free x-ray services for those who can’t afford the cost and routine viral load monitoring in all major clinics.

AHF supports the Girls Act Campaign and Young People’s Program – Menstrual Hygiene Management. AHF distributed 2,550 packets of 10,200 re-usable sanitary pads and over 5000 disposable sanitary pads and accessories to over 2000 girls. In addition, the formation of 8 peer support groups for in and out of school youths and adolescents, peer support trainings, skills trainings and support income generation activities for out of school youths. As well as educational support for in-school adolescents and young people, dialogue sessions, radio discussions and use of social media. Finally, HIV testing, condom distribution and STI screening and management – currently targeting 220 girls and boys.


girls act logo

Girls Act empowers girls and young women to stay healthy and thrive! We work to prevent HIV and STI
infections, help young women and girls remain on treatment if HIV-positive, reduce unplanned pregnancies, and
support them to stay in school.
To learn more about Girls Act or HIV testing, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

GirlsAct.org

Visit Girls Act Website


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Miata Jambawai,
Country Program Manager
+ 232 79 250100
[email protected]


AHF Sierra Leone

 6 Carlton Carew Road,
Off Wilkinson Road, Freetown.

 AHF Africa Facebook

Clients in Care: 24,765 (As of January 2023)
For HIV care: Clinics


Adults and children living with HIV: 76,000*

Adults 15+ living with HIV: 66,000*

Women 15+ living with HIV: 41,000*

Men 15+ living with HIV: 25,000*

Children 0 to 14 living with HIV: 11,000*

Adults 15-49 prevalence rate: 1.4%*

Women 15-49 HIV prevalence rate: 1.8*

Men 15-49 HIV prevalence rate: 1.0*

HIV prevalence among young women: 1.1*

HIV prevalence among young men: 0.5*

Newly infected (adults and children) with HIV: 3,900

Adults 15+ newly infected with HIV: 2,300*

Women aged 15 and over newly infected with HIV: 1,400*

Orphans due to AIDS: 48,000*

People living with HIV who know their status: 48,000*

People living with HIV who are on ART: 46,000*

*Source: UNAIDS – Sierra Leone – 2021