NAIROBI DECEMBER 2, 2016(CISA)-First lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for increased efforts to end the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.
“We are needed on this war front. We must take our places and do our parts because over the years, all of us have been affected by this disease. All of us have lost friends and family in this fight,” she said.
Speaking on December 1 during national celebrations of the World’s Aids Day at the Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi the first lady called on the public figures, national leaders, government and international partners, civil society, parents, teachers and the youth to take up a role in fighting the HIV Virus.
She congratulated the youth for being brave warriors in the fight against the HIV virus and encouraged them to be strong and use opportunities to make the nation healthy.
“It’s always a great pleasure to see many of our youths come together, standing united to address a concern that affects all of us. I congratulate the youth for their commitment to adding their voice towards HIV stigma and discrimination to ensure that Kenya will in the near future have an HIV free generation,” she said.
“HIV has made an enemy in all of us. It’s only when all of us come together, that we have any hope of finally getting to Zero new infections, Zero HIV virus and Zero HIV related deaths,” she concluded.
According to a report by World Health Organization, men are to blame for slowing down the fight against HIV.
“Global coverage rates for all HIV testing, prevention and treatment are lower among men than women due to their perceptions that health services are not friendly. Men account for only 30 per cent of people who have tested for the virus,” the report read in part.
HIV continues to be a major global public health issue. Recent statistics show that globally an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV (including 1.8 million children).
