The NEWS (Monrovia)
4 September 2002
Monrovia — The First Lady, Mrs. Jewel Howard-Taylor, last Saturday, August 31, underwent "voluntary" HIV/AIDS testing at the HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing Center at the Phebe Hospital near Suacoco, Bong County.
Mrs. Taylor was the first volunteer to have undergone the deadly disease testing at the HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing Center when she formally launched the Center over the weekend.
A release from the office of the First Lady yesterday described Mrs. Taylor's voluntary HIV/AIDS test as, "an unprecedented move," adding that, "the establishment of the HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing Centers for free and voluntary screening is an important milestone in the nation's attempt at adequately responding to the threat of this disease."
The First Lady was recently appointed by the United Nations as anti-HIV/AIDS Goodwill Ambassador. Since her since her appointment, Mrs. Taylor has intensified the anti HIV/AIDS campaign.
Over the weekend, she called upon all patriotic Liberians to take advantage of the facility at the Phebe Hospital in determining their HIV/AIDS status, the release said.
According to the release, the testing procedure is an accurate and un-tampered one which lasts about five minutes.
The First Lady therefore said, "Testing is a chance and a free opportunity for one to seek counseling and treatment, if one is diagnosed to have the disease."
"A stitch in time saves nine, and it is better safe then sorrow," Mrs. Taylor warned.
The First Lady also cautioned Liberians to modify their sexual behaviors and to develop a more positive attitude toward their sexuality.
Considering the nation's youthful population, and the need for their attainment of adulthood, as healthy and sound citizens, Mrs. Taylor urged the youth to emulate good examples in society if they must contribute meaningfully to the future.
She specifically called upon the youth, especially teenagers, to abstain from sex, noting that, "sexual behavior was not a child's play, and should be safeguarded for matured and faithful couples, and within the context of marriages."
The First Lady is of the view that in marriage, there is no fear of unwanted pregnancies, neither was there fear in contracting HIV/AIDS if the couple remains faithful.
The center at the Phebe Hospital where Mrs. Taylor took her test is the first of several free HIV/AIDS testing and counseling centers in Liberia and would soon be available throughout the country.
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