By Doh James Sonkey
Some 650 peer educators have been dispatched to the field with key messages to dissuade young people aged 15 to 24 years from having sex, but if they must not resist, they should use condoms. The message was given by Public Health Minister, Dr Manaouda Malachie during the official launch of AIDS Free Holidays under the distinguished patronage of Cameroon First Lady and Founding President of African Synergy, Mrs Chantal Biya who doubles as UNAIDS Special Ambassador.
The launching took place last August 10, 2022 at the esplanade of the Melen Pan African First Ladies association and was co-chaired by Public Health Minister and President of the National Aids Control Committee, Dr Manaouda Malachie and the Youth Affairs and Civic Education Minister, MounounaFoutsou.
The Public Health boss said their mission is to awaken their conscience and reduce the risk of contamination to sexually transmissible infection and to HIV among school going youth and to sensitize them on the risk linked to drugs consumption.
Also present at the event was the Minister of Women Empowerment and the Family, Prof Marie Therese Abena Ondua. This edition of Aids Free Holidays will mark the 20th edition of sensitization campaign of young people on sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS during the school and university holidays.
This year, emphasis will be on sensitization against the consumption of drugs especially among young people hence the theme, “Drugs kill and make us vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.”
20 years after, Aids Free Holidays remains a strategic and effective tool in the fight against Aids which benefits from the accompaniment of public authorities and numerous partners.
The Executive Secretary of African Synergy against Aids and Suffering, Jean Stephane Biatcha and his collaborators were praised for their collaboration with Mrs Chantal Biyawho has been promoting the initiative of Aids Free Holidays since 2003.
Dr. Ndongo Jean Serge said Aids Free Holidays will take place from August 10 to 31, 2022 and noted that 12000 of youths aged between 13 and 15 years said they have at least tested cannabis (MINSANTE 2019), 21% of the Cameroonian population of school age have already consumed drug (CNLD) while 60% of drug consumers are between 20 to 25 years (CNLD).
The Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, Mounouna Foutsou said the youths are committed to carry out the campaign in regions.
By the end of the campaign, they expect at least 2 million people know about STI, HIV and AIDS and their means of prevention, at least 1 million people know the dangers linked to the use of drugs thus the infection risk to HIV, at least 10000 people know their serological status of which 80% are youths aged between 15 and 24 years and at least 95% of people declared seropositive are placed on treatment.