President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has by Proclamation, declared today, December 1, 2008, as "World AIDS Day" to be observed throughout the country as a Working Holiday.

According to a release from the Foreign Ministry, President Johnson-Sirleaf urged Liberians and foreign nationals residing in the territorial limits of the Republic to cooperate with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in making the day meaningful by participating fully in the programs designed to promote, educate, and fully understand the vital importance of such knowledge to life and the well-being of the nation.

The deadly disease, since its diagnosis in 1981, has continued to pose a serious problem and threat to the health and well-being of the human race worldwide and through unprotected sexual contacts and body fluids of which the people of Liberia are no exception.

The people of Liberia, the proclamation said, constitute a vital resource for the nation, and the goal of the Government of Liberia is to improve the quality of Life of the people.

The Liberian Government has pronounced programs aimed at improving the health, well-being and welfare, thereby preventing deaths and illnesses amongst men, women, youth and infants.