CBCHS’ role in “Aids Free Holiday” lauded

By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

Peer educators pose with NW Governor

The coordinator of the NW Regional Technical Group for the fight against HIV and AIDS, Dr. Tayong Gladys has lauded the contribution of the Cameroon Baptist Health Services in accompanying the First Lady Mrs. Chantal Biya in her fight against HIV/AIDS.

                During the launching of the 2016 edition of the AIDS free holidays in the North West under the theme “Chicks say No to Aids” Dr. Tayong Gladys revealed that CBCHS contribution helped the regional aids control committee to step up the peer educators from 50 that was initially planned to about 130.

                Launched on Wednesday August 24, 2016 and presided at by the Governor of the North West region, LeleL’Afrique Adolf, the 130 peer educators were assigned to roll back the 6.3% HIV/AIDS prevalence in the North West Region through education and sensitization.

                Putting the theme “Chicks say No to Aids” into perspective and justifying why it was repeated again, Dr. Tayong Gladys said they “used the same theme because of the feminization of the HIV epidemic”

                “Findings from the last health and demographic survey carried out in Cameroon in 2011 reveled that in the age group 15-24 years, females are about five to six times more infected than males. There are about 39,000 adolescents estimated to be living with HIV in Cameroon, 72 being girls” she revealed.

                She also observed that while there is a decrease in new HIV infections and HIV related deaths in the general population, HIV related deaths is rather increasing amongst adolescents where 26 percent of girls and 36 percent of boys in sub sahara Africa have a full understanding of how HIV is transmitted.

                “Our goal is to eliminate HIV as a public health problem by 2030. By 2020 the objectives are to offer free testing to at least 90% of the population, place at least 90% of persons living with HIV on treatment and to have at least 90% of those on anti retroviral therapy with viral suppression” she reiterated.

                In his speech, Governor Adolf LeleL’Afrique,called on the peer educators to lay much emphasis on young girls between the ages of 15 and 24 years who are considered the most expose and vulnerable group.

                The local peer educators will move into the different neighbourhood to sensitize the public on the importance of knowing their HIV status.

                The AIDS-Free Holiday Campaign is an initiative of the founder of African Synergy, Mrs. Chantal Biya, to fight sexually transmissible infections, STIs, and the AIDS pandemic among the youth during the holidays.