Today Newspaper - Online Edition - The Gambia's Quality Newspaper: NBR inaugurates team on anti-HIV/AIDS crusade

NBR inaugurates team on anti-HIV/AIDS crusade
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HARUNA KUYATEH on 10 March, 2010 08:04:00
 
The North Bank Region has launched a Regional AIDS Committee which would have
responsibilities in ensuring that the fight against HIV and AIDS in the region
is coordinated and that people are aware of relevant information, as well as
protected from the virus.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the governor of the region, Alhagie
Eduwarr Seckan underscored the importance that the government attaches to the
control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He said the president of the Republic, His
Excellency, Professor Yahya Jammeh has deployed so much personal capital into
ensuring that Gambians are free from the deadly health condition.
According to Governor Seckan, the members of the committee should recognize
their roles as being to work in line with government policies in ensuring that
the common people get adequate and relevant information about HIV/AIDS and that
they are motivated to adopt positive attitudes as well as encouraged to go for
voluntary counseling and testing.
The governor who is also the chairman of the committee said that the fight
against HIV and AIDS must be concerted and everybody must be ready to do his/her
part to ensure that the epidemic is obliterated. He therefore launched an appeal
to the committee and the general public to be very supportive to the Regional
AIDS Office and the Agency for the Development of Women and Children (ADWAC) in
the implementation of programmes at the grassroots level.
He also asked for the commitment and dedication of all stakeholders towards the
successful implementation of programmes aimed at encouraging people to develop
positive health seeking behavior.
Also speaking, Mr. Ousman Y. Sowe, regional AIDS coordinator for North Bank
Region reiterated the need for partners and stakeholders to work hand in glove
in the execution of projects to ensure that the Global Fund Round 8 activities
are effectively managed and contribute to improvement in the health status of
people. Mr. Sowe said to curb the spread of HIV and AIDS in the region, the
Committee must facilitate the sharing of information, and capacity building and
promoting access to resources among community based organizations in the region.
Speaking on behalf of ADWAC’s executive director, Mr. Amat Joof, malaria
programme officer, who currently oversees the HIV and AIDS programme, assured
the committee of his organisation’s commitment in delivering quality services
and working closely with all stakeholders at the community and regional levels
in the implementation of the Global Fund Round 8 activities. He said they are
resolved to implemente the project activities to the letter. He then said that
they would also consider the comments and contributions of the committee in
building strong partnership and trust as outlined in the Global Fund round 8
project implementation guide.
Chief Fafanding Kinteh of Lower Baddibu and Alhagie Lamin Ceesay, chairman of
Kerewan Area Council echoed similar remarks and noted that as a committee they
should inform and educate the public to show love, care and support to the
people living with the virus. “As a committee, one of the pivotal roles is to
ensure that the rights of people living with the virus are protected and
enhanced and by extension not to allow individuals to stereotype and
discriminate against people living with the virus in the society.”
The committee then adopted some resolutions aimed at accelerating the
implementation of Global Fund Round 8 activities in the region.