AFRICA/DJIBOUTI - HIV awareness programs in Catholic schools

Friday, 2 December 2016 healthcare  

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Djibouti (Agenzia Fides) - "In our Country there is a National Strategic Plan to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria which depends directly on the Prime Minister" refers to Agenzia Fides the Director of the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Djibouti, Simone. "In addition there is also a special strategic plan for AIDS supported by the Global Fund. On its behalf - continues the director - UNICEF in Djibouti supports local NGOs CCAF (Cabinet-Conseil-Appui-Formation), AIBC, UNFD (Union des Femmes de Djibouti) as well as having CRIPEN (Centre de Recherche, d'Information et de Production de l'Education Nationale) as partners for the implementation of this program for the fight against AIDS".
CRIPEN explains, has produced posters, brochures, teaching material, commercials for television and organizes meetings, awareness courses, debates for young people and teenagers in schools. The NGOs aim at reaching young people who do not go to school, community centers and other gathering places. "CCAF is responsible for raising awareness and primary education related to AIDS with the spread of information about the disease, transmission, the dangers, education and guided tours in the different health centers or hospital medical institutions that treat people infected with the virus in the capital and different regions. UNFD deals more in particular with young girls and women in general. Within its programs the Ministry of Women is also involved which, this year, organized the Day of December 1 dedicated to the fight against AIDS".
From February 2016 to 2017 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) coordinates a committee that deals with the awareness for the fight against AIDS and the health of high-risk people such as the homeless, adults in difficulty, etc... "All hospital centers are supported by the program of the Ministry of Health to combat AIDS which aims at raising awareness and support to HIV-positive people. In Djibouti there is a free screening center. The two state hospitals provide care to people at risk. In the Country there are no recent statistics on HIV. The last, in 2002, recorded 2.9% of the population affected by the virus", concludes the director. (GB/AP) (Agenzia Fides 02/12/2016)


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