World AIDS Day: The fight against HIV/AIDS intensifies in Cameroon

Cameroonians have joined the international community to commemorate the 27th edition of the World AIDS Day under the theme “Zero new infection, zero discrimination and zero deaths linked to AIDS”.

Weeklong activities to mark the day were launched by the National Committee for the Fight against AIDS (CNLS) on 25thNovember 2014 under the theme “Towards an AIDS-free Generation.”

The activities are scheduled to end this 1st December 2014 which is the official day for the commemoration worldwide.

During the campaign dubbed “Cameroonian week against AIDS”, the Minister of Public Health who is also President of the CNLS, Andre Mama Fouda disclosed the significant strides registered in facts and figures:

-Prevalence rate of the HIV virus has dropped from 5.5 percent in 2004 to 4.3 percent in 2011.

-Number of infected persons receiving treatment has increased from 17,000 in 2005 to over 134,000 in July 2014.

Since the launch of the campaign, free screenings, scientific conferences, round table discussions and educative talks have been carried out throughout the national territory.

Government’s endeavours have been boosted by some Non-governmental organisations including African Synergy that has been sensitising students on how to prevent HIV and AIDS.

The Chantal Biya International Research Centre and other Christian bodies have been organising sensitisation seminars and free and voluntary screenings.