Scores of youths from various communities and youth groups in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Saturday benefited from a HIV\AIDS workshop, compliments of the National Aids Programme Secretariat (NAPS).
The sessions were facilitated by Nazim Hussain, with the Essequibo Coast Dharmic Najauwan also contributing to facilitating the activity.
During various sessions, Hussain enlightened the youths about the epidemic HIV\AIDs and pointed to ways they can safeguard themselves. He said the workshop was aimed at empowering persons on HIV\AIDS and human rights, as well as to remind community leaders about their role in moulding Guyana’s youth.
Hussain also informed participants about the works of NAPS and the Ministry of Public Health (MPH). He disclosed that to date over 4500 persons are infected in Guyana with the disease, and out of that 250 are children.
Facilitator Nazim Hussain speaking to youths about HIV/AIDS
The government, through the MPH, is providing free ARV medication to persons suffering from the Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), he added.
He reminded that HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, and Human means that it affects only humans, living within their system. The virus, he said, does not live in mosquitoes, cups, spoons or bed sheets that HIV-positive people have used. Immuno-deficiency refers to a breakdown of the immune system.
Youths were told of ways the disease can be transmitted, such as unprotected sex, Blood Transfusion, Mother-to-Child, and using unclean needles (drugs).
The virus can also be found in four main body fluids – breast milk, semen, vaginal secretions and blood.
The participants were involved in group discussions and expressed their ideas and thoughts about the disease.
Chairman of the Dharmic Naujawan in Region Two, Nandram Prabhu, thanked Hussain for choosing Region Two and said youths are now more empowered and equipped with the necessary knowledge about the disease.
The youth participants expressed gratitude towards Hussain for imparting knowledge on the disease.
