WESTERN PROVINCE

KARONGI-THE minister of state for Aids and other infectious diseases Dr. Innocent Nyaruhirira has called for collective responsibility in creating HIV/aids awareness among the children.

"A child is every one’s responsibility, we should own them communally,” he said.

Nyaruhurira was last week speaking at a ceremony marking part of the activities commemorating the world aids day in the country.

Celebrated annually on December 1, this year’s cerebrations would be under the theme "the role of family in the fight against Aids epidemic with a focus on the youth”

 Much emphasis has been put on the children with the hope that the country needed health and vibrant youth in order to provide their stake in achieving the development goals.

Dr. Nyaruhirira urged the youth to abstain from sex or to use condoms in order to mitigate growing spread of the virus. He also urged for increased access to antiretroviral drugs for Aids patients.

According to available statistics, between 0.4 and -0.1 percent youth between ages 16 and 24 contract the virus.

Clyrice Uwera of health support organ-PSI- urged parents to freely share ideas about aids and sexual behaviors with their children saying ignorance about the subjects was not an escape.

 "Many teenagers have been forced into sex by the false doctrines they have about it and ignorance about the truth,” she said.

"Sex awareness should be created right from early primary level to 24 years of age”.

The minister, after planting a commemorative tree, expressed gratitude for high turn up of residents who take up voluntary Aids counseling and testing.

He stressed the need to test the virus among the children and routine testing of expectant mothers living with the virus in order to give birth to health babies.

 Safari Bagina, executive secretary for Bwishyura sector urged youth to avoid indulging in sex at an early stage.
Condemning acts of sexual intimacy between teachers and children, Bagina challenged parents and teachers to live exemplary lives.

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