Polytechnic Sensitised On HIV/Aids

Alvine Kapitako

19 May 2011

Windhoek — The Polytechnic of Namibia is commemorating its 15th annual HIV/AIDS awareness campaign under the theme ‘Be the change’ this week.

The two-day event started yesterday and ends today. The focus of the campaign is to mobilise the youth to take responsibility in sexual reproductive health matters.

The campaign also aims to increase the knowledge and build capacity of the student body to advance the professional lives of young people in the country, while ensuring that they remain careful of their health and wellbeing.

Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr Tjama Tjivikua, said at the opening ceremony of the campaign that HIV/AIDS strikes people in their most productive years, severely disrupting the economic and social base of whole families and societies.

“HIV/AIDS awareness raising events like this one play a vital role to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS among our students and staff,” said Tjivikua.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the campaign was the first lady, Madam Penehupifo Pohamba, who said young people should be the main focus of HIV prevention.

She said the awareness campaign by the Polytechnic is a useful forum for disseminating information to society at large.

Madam Pohamba added that the youth are the future leaders of any nation. As a result, they need an upbringing that is based on social values that promote morality and patriotism of their country.

“The students at this institution and at other schools and colleges are an important resource for development,” said the first lady.

Statistics compiled by the UNAIDS Secretariat and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in their 2010 report on the Global AIDS Epidemic indicate that Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst affected region in the world in terms of HIV infections.

This is demonstrated by the fact that out of 22 million people worldwide who have died from AIDS related illnesses, 17 million were from Africa.

Additionally, the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is the age group 15 to 49, the most productive age group.

She said this situation has an adverse effect on the economies of many African countries as the continent is losing some of its well-trained human resources at an alarming rate.

“Among these are the medical personnel in various areas, teachers, engineers, economists and managers of many different businesses,” said Madam Pohamba.

The first lady used the opportunity to call on all parents and guardians to educate and provide parental guidance to their children.

She urged public and private institutions to join hands and resources to eliminate the HIV/AIDS pandemic from the face of the earth. Candles were lit at the occasion.

A portrait ‘Famous hands in support of AIDS’ was unveiled at the occasion, where Dr Tjivikua, the first lady, sponsors of the campaign and student representative councils, amongst others, committed themselves to support efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

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