14th/02/2010
By Williams Moi:
The International condom day has been marked in style in Soroti district in Eastern Uganda with a call on lovers celebrating Valentines’ Day to use condoms always correctly, consistently and effectively.
Marking the day, chief guest On the International condoms day celebration Uganda’s state minister for disaster preparedness and refugees, Musa Ecweru said “the beauty of the condoms can make you enjoy sex as if it is not wrapped on.’ When we are not able to stop our feelings use condoms especially on lovers whom you don’t know in order to make love sweeter”.
Ecweru said since our country’s economy improves, the good nutrition of our women are becoming more beautiful. The more beautiful they become the more problems we get in loving them sexually.
Minister Ecweru urged the people of Uganda and all over the world to support the use of condoms correctly, consistently and effectively in order to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids in the country.
He said Government through cinematography act in place would ban the show of blue Columbian sexy movies in town which lures children to sex affairs in addition to getting HIV/Aids disease which has no cure yet.
However Minster Ecweru Decried lack of condoms to use in Tanzania hotel rooms if compared to Uganda. He reported to the rally in Soroti Sports Ground where nearly one million people attended that day. He surprised a Tanzanian hotel maid when he asked for a condom. He said using a condom is not promoting immorality but for protection from HIV/Aids, Pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. He also said that fighting HIV/Aids in Kenya is not open.
The occasion was organized by Uganda Cares an NGO supported by Aids Health Care Foundation supervised by Dr Peninah Lutung AHFs West Africa Bureau Chief, Lydia Buzaalirwa, Country Program Coordinator Uganda Cares. USA Ged Kenslea communications director and Lori Yeghniayen, who is Associate Director of Communications based in Los Angels USA.
“There is no fear even if I found myself negative but it helps me to plan for my future. But to live like a blind person is not good in this era of HIV/Aids,” Minister Ecweru said.
In Kenya he said, authorities feared the fight would undermine tourist industry. “Up to now I speak HIV/Aids situation is worrying in coast line of Kenya near the waters of Mombassa.
Minister Ecweru commended the president of Uganda for his efforts in the fight against Aids whom he said was wiping human resource in the country.
“In order to save lives, Museveni said that we should be open and therefore decided to put up structures in the fight against HIV/Aids besides other strategies.” Ecweru said
Ecweru described HIV/Aids as worse than Lords Resistant Army (LRA) Rebel Leader in Northern Uganda Joseph Kony who has killed over a million people and added it to the terrorist list of Osama Binladen.
He called upon the people of Uganda to join hands to defeat Aids but not to be complacent.
The theme of the day (International Condoms Awareness Day), “Protect your self, protect your partner.” This was meant to mark 20 years of HIV/Aids Prevention. Care and Support Services through improved access to quality HIV/Aids counseling and Testing.
According to a media release from AHFs international condoms day was celebrated in 27 cities in 13 countries around the globe to set the stage open for free condom distribution and safer sex awareness events hosted by AHF and Global partners, where love condoms were distributed in colourful ceremony
AHF- the largest global Aids organization, currently provides medical care and service to more than 127,000 individuals in 27 countries: In USA, Africa, Latin America/Carebean, the Asia/ Pacific Region and Europe
AHF Uganda Cares is a part of Aids Health Care foundation which currently provides medical care and services to more than 127,000 individuals in 27 countries world wide.
According to Dr. Lydia Buzaaliriwa Country Program Director Uganda Cares, said that the International Condom Day was marked in conjunction with Valentine’s day which falls on Feb/14th every year with free HIV counseling and Testing, Safer Sex Awareness and Media Campaigns throughout the week in Soroti Town with lots of Music, Dance and Drama in addition to distribution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials on HIV/Aids with catchy messages.
However amongst the many people who turned up for testing their blood on the International Condom Day, many of whom also missed including a holiday maker from Kenya. Participants later asked for extension of days and many of search activities.
The goal of AHF condom campaigns this year is to achieve Global Aids Control, an aggressive re-integration of Condoms is critical to success. She said that the Love Condom campaign goal is to scale up to 100% access to free condoms world wide.
The time is now to call for Condoms to be brought back to the fore front of HIV prevention said Terri Ford in a media release who is Aids Health Care Foundation’s Senior Director of Global Policy And Advocacy said “Valentine’s weekend is the perfect time to re-enforce the message, to love your self, love your partner.”
“We think the Condom Campaign is a great and effective strategy towards prevention of ever increasing HIV infection amongst our people.
The reporter saw many people including dignitaries carry away packets of AHFs own specifically branded Love Condoms, eye catching, Bright-red-foil labeled Love printed on wrapper.
Among other leaders at the celebration were Resident District Commissioner Soroti Ben Etonu who called for massive mobilization and support on condom use supplied by AHF Uganda Cares.
Dr. Okadhi Charles Stephen Acting District Health Officer Soroti said that Soroti would also emphasize prevention more especially among people living with HIV/Aids by condom compaign besides treatment of HIV/Aids patients.
Dr. Okadhi warned that more infections were occurring now due to multiple sex partners, discordant couples, mother to child transmission and commercial sex workers.
Soroti Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Godfrey Egwau said that due to massive use of condoms and other strategies, HIV/Aids prevalence had dropped from 30% to 6% where the Minister Of Health feels good with AHFs contribution to the country.
Mayor Soroti municipality Alfred Aruo suggested that there should be routine distribution of condoms to district leaders so that they can do the Job but did not say which Job to be done.#
No comments:
Post a Comment