Peer educators to reduce hiv prevalence

The AIDS-Free Holidays campaign has been launched in the North West Region.

Some 50 youths have committed to turn the tides in a vast campaign to drop the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the North West Region from the current 6.3 per cent. They have 21 days to produce required results with messages that encourage youths to face the killer disease by joining the campaign that prescribes abstinence, free screening and responsible sex habits.

Summed up in the Special 2012 HIV/AIDS-free holidays, the Peer Educators have been challenged to rise to expectation as they take the campaign to virtually all doorsteps in Bamenda and beyond. Launching the 10th edition of Holidays without HIV/AIDS in Bamenda recently, the Permanent Secretary in the North West Governor's Office, Ebune Balungeli Confiance hailed government's initiatives towards effectively combating HIV/AIDS. He challenged stakeholders in the fight to stand by the 1st Lady, Chantal Biya's Patronage activities. "Knowing my status is necessary for my health" is the theme of the campaign.

The Coordinator of the Regional Technical Group against HIV/AIDS, Dr Charles Arrey reveals that the North West has progressed in the fight after dropping from a prevalence rate of 8.7 to 6.3 per cent in recent times with an equal move from the 1st to the 3rd position on national records. He urged Peer Educators selected to serve during the 2012 HIV free holidays to keep youths abreast with knowledge, attitudes and practices to avoid new infections. According to Dr. Charles Arrey, voluntary counselling and testing is the best way into the campaign against HIV/AIDS.