By Ikome Christie-Noella Eposi in Buea
The 23rd edition of the “AIDS-Free Holidays” campaign was officially launched on Thursday, August 7, 2025, in a vibrant ceremony held at Independence Square in Buea. This year’s campaign carries a resounding theme: “Zero New HIV Infections Among Young People, That’s Our Challenge for 2030.” At the heart of the campaign lies an innovative mobile caravan aimed at intensifying sensitisation and voluntary screening for HIV and Hepatitis B across high-risk areas in the South West Region.
The event, which marked the beginning of a mobile outreach strategy, brought together a cross-section of stakeholders from top government officials and health professionals to traditional authorities, civil society actors, and youth organisations. Among the notable attendees were Elepi Ewane Jacques, the Governor’s representative; Dr. Tatah Divine, Regional HIV Coordinator; and Magdalene Mbonde Epse Vevanje, Fourth Deputy Mayor of Buea Council, representing the Mayor.
In his keynote address, Dr. Tatah Divine emphasised the urgency of addressing rising HIV prevalence among youths aged 15–24, which has reached 3.2% in the South West Region, well above the national average of 2.7%. “This mobile caravan is not just a vehicle; it’s a symbol of outreach and hope,” he declared. “We’re taking HIV services directly to the people especially in hard-to-reach and underserved areas where stigma and silence remain major barriers to care.”
The mobile caravan, launched as part of the AIDS-Free Holidays 2025 campaign initiated by First Lady Chantal Biya, is expected to tour major towns in the region until August 20. It offers free, integrated testing for HIV and Hepatitis B, peer-led sensitisation, counseling, and referral to treatment services. Organisers are particularly targeting displaced and vulnerable populations whose access to health services has been disrupted by the ongoing socio-political crisis.
The SW Governor’s representative, Elepi Ewane Jacques praised the initiative and encouraged youths to take ownership of their health. “This special caravan will not only raise awareness but also reinforce the need for prevention, responsible behaviour, and early diagnosis,” he stated. He called on religious leaders, community heads, and youth groups to work hand-in-hand with the caravan team to ensure widespread participation and success.
Highlighting the importance of youth leadership in HIV prevention, he urged young people to harness mobile and digital technologies to educate their peers. “Far too many adolescents still contract HIV due to ignorance, risky sexual behaviours, and gender-based violence,” he lamented. “We must collectively work to reverse this trend and secure a future free from HIV.”
The mobile caravan project also responds to alarming statistics from the 2018 CAMPHIA survey, which revealed that adolescent girls and young women account for 24% of new infections despite comprising only 10% of the population. As such, the campaign specifically emphasises gender-sensitive messaging, safe sex education, and calls for the elimination of harmful traditional practices.
Mayor Magdalene Mbonde, representing the Mayor of Buea Council commended the Ministry of Public Health for selecting Buea as the launch site. “This effort will go a long way to impact not just the youth of Buea, but the wider region,” she said. She also praised the inclusion of Hepatitis B screening alongside HIV testing, noting that both diseases are spread similarly and have long devastated the community.
Youth organisations like the Dr. Biaka Memorial Foundation and Akumba Entertainment added colour and energy to the launch, with artistic performances reinforcing the message of prevention, testing, and hope.
With the caravan now on the move, expectations are high. Organisers hope to reach thousands of young people with lifesaving information and services before the campaign ends on August 20. The message is clear and powerful: Know your status, get treated, and live empowered. Together, we can achieve zero new infections by 2030.