The move to create awareness on HIV/AIDS in schools by His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has been welcomed by students in Tavua.
Fiji’s Head of State spent this week visiting schools in the western division advocating for more awareness on HIV/AIDS.
President Nailatikau told the students of Tavua District High School and Tavua College that despite the efforts of all relevant stakeholders to address increasing statistics, there is a general lack of understanding by the public on this global disease.
While he highlighted the value of contraception in reducing statistics in the country, he also urged students to concentrate on their studies and their future.
Some of the challenges highlighted by the Head of State, who is also the United Nations AIDS Ambassador to the Pacific, include the low number of people testing voluntarily, data collection, stigma and discrimination and low condom usage.
His Excellency said that “There are quite a few challenges that our health ministry is facing regarding HIV/AIDS and one is data collection”. “Data is a very important document that will assist our health professionals. We also have people who shy away from having their blood tests.”
With current testing facilities only available in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa, Ratu Epeli who is also the United Nations (UN) AIDS Ambassador to the Pacific said Government will open more in especially in rural and out islands.
-ENDS-