HIV/AIDS in Cameroon: Rolling out treatment and protecting teenagers
June 12, 2009 : Posted by: admin : Category: protecting assets : Add Comment
Jacqueline, a mother of two, is one of an estimated 500,000 Cameroonians living with HIV. Her five year old son Giam is also positive. It is with the help of the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaoundé, a hospital for children, with support from UNICEF and other partners, provides them free pediatric AIDS treatment. In much of sub Sahara Africa, it is women who often carry the enormous burden of the epidemic. Not only are they at greater risk of infection but also bear the responsibility for caring for children and keeping families intact. Of the estimated 5.1 percent of the population infected with HIV in Cameroon, 60 percent are estimated to be female. In addition to rolling out paediatric treatment and scaling up prevention of mother to children transmission, the big challenge in Cameroon is educating the next generation, especially young women, to know how to protect themselves against HIV. The ociation Jeunesse Et Solidarite, a youth club in down town Daoula is one of 500 across the country that UNICEF works with to spread knowledge and life skills to prevent new infection. This club was started by dedicated university students in 2000, who still oversee activities. It is a place for young people to build confidence, responsibility and purpose, all very important ets in the prevention of HIV.
Duration : 0:6:15
