Faculty of Health science commemorates World AIDS Day

UBa: Faculty of Health Science Commemorates World Aids Day

           By Lum Precious

Members of the standing committee on sexual and reproductive health and rights including HIV/AIDS SCORA in the Faculty of Health Science have encouraged those living with HIV/AIDS to stay positive as it is not the end of the world. This is in a sensitization campaign that took place in the university campus to commemorate world aids day with the theme, “let community lead” emphasizing the crucial role communities play in the fight against the epidemic. These students could be spotted visiting lecture halls and made a tour on campus sensitizing and educating their peers on the dangers and ways of preventing HIV/AIDS. The campaign is aimed at educating students on the preventive measures of the virus and how to promote social cohesion with infected persons as a means of reducing stigmatization. According to Cheriff Fibien, the local action officer of SCORA “we are here today to sensitize people about HIV/AIDS. This day is very very important to empower them, to tell them that living with HIV does not mean the end of the world but you can also live with HIV as a normal person. The only difference is that you are living on drugs”. He went ahead to elaborate on some preventive measures for individuals to stay free from HIV/AIDS “we have different ways in which we can prevent HIV/AIDS. One is by abstinence, two is by having protected sex whether infected or not”. Equally talking to Assurance Samsibom, a SCORA agent and a student in the faculty of health science highlights that being an HIV patient is not a reason for stigmatization “we are sensitizing the population against the stigma that comes with HIV/AIDS in our communities. HIV is a virus that affects your immune system. People have regarded HIV patients like outcast that causes them to feel left out. But today, we the SCORA have decided to let the population know that an HIV is just like anyone else” assurance says She continues by encouraging individuals in the community “if you have HIV and you consistently take your medications ads prescribed by medical personnel you can be as healthy as any human being and no one will know”.

Today December 1st is observed as world aids day. This day is aimed at raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and equally to honor the lives of affected persons. This year marks the 35th edition of the day and it serves as a reminder of the global struggle to end HIV-related stigma. HIV is a virus known as Human Immunodeficiency virus that can be transmitted with blood contact from an infected person or object. This virus later on transcend to AIDS which becomes medically incurable.