The Ministry of Health, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UNDP launched today the educational and awareness campaign on HIV/AIDS in line with the celebration of World AIDS day on 1 December of each year.
The campaign includes several awareness-raising inititives and publications that will be distributed among university students in addition to an online portal that provides all the data and information on HIV/AIDS in the world: www.protect-yourself.org.
Students from American University in Dubai, Sharjah University and Dubai Men’s College, participated in a survey that was conducted in order to assess knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the extent of the young people in UAE.
On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Hanif Hassan Ali Al Qassim, Minister of Health stated that the United Arab Emirates has always sought to secure the best ways of healthy life for all citizens and residents, he said : “ We Thank God that in our beloved country, there is no serious challenge for the disease unlike other countries, we must be alawys attentive, since we are the most attractive country for tourism and job seekers from all over the world.†We are proud to initiate a program to protect the society from HIV/AIDS and people who live with it as per UAE Council of Ministers, Resolution No.(29) for the year 2010. He added.â€
Lara Hussein, Chief of Child Protection & Officer in Charge of Representative UNICEF, Gulf Area Office, expressed her thanks and gratitude to the Government of the United Arab Emirates and UNAIDS for their support to the campaign. “UNICEF is targeting through this campaign, young people and adolescents since they are the most vulnerable. By the end of 2009, more than 94.000 people between 15 and 24 years of age were living with HIV in the Middle East and North Africa. This highlights the urgent need for more accessible information, skills and services for our youtYour browser may not support display of this image. hâ€.
Dr. Lance de Masi, President of American University in Dubai thanked UNICEf for conducting this survey and for adressing the needs of the youth in the region: “The AUD put within its objectives to participate in all activities & campaigns that would benefit the community in all its sections and classes. The increase of HIV/AIDS prevalence rates have become a serious concern to all communities. The efforts of the private and public sector should be combined in order to fight itâ€.
