By victor madumere
A Charity Organization, African Youth Development Foundation (AFRYDEF) has observed this year’s 2013 International AIDS candlelight memorial alongside other communities in over 150 countries of the world.
In a welcome address by the executive Director and founder, Hon Remy Chukwunyere, it was stated that the movement is the largest grassroot movement against HIV/AIDS, a World Wide Company championed by Global Health Council a network of organization, government agencies researchers and individuals committed towards the fight against HIV/AIDS.
This year’s anniversary theme which is in solidarity is aimed at getting all stakeholders and government to do more to reduce the stigma suffered by people affected or living with HIV/AIDS, and to ensure their continued access to drugs, increase resources for their support and promote multi-stakeholders involvement in the struggle for a healtheir society.
AFRYDEF went further to draw the attention of the Government on the need to incorporate and train rural traditional birth attendants to become HIV counselors and referral agents in the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) as it will go along way to stop the scourge of HIV/AIDS in the rural areas.
Hon Chukwunyere, however cautioned people on the dangers associated with the use of unsterilized piercing materials like blade razor, needle, clipper, string etc.
The address also stressed that HIV/AID is like every other diseased illness therefore, the patients can live normal, happy lives and pursue their careers successfully because there are other diseases deadlier than HIV/AIDS. He finally advised that early detection of HIV is very important for it’s treatment, control and management, therefore there need to know one’s status.
