Banjul — The Gambia Library and Information Services Association GAMLISA in collaboration with the National AIDS Secretariat (NAS) Wednesday organized a three-day training of trainer's workshop on the dissemination Aids/STIS for Library Personnel.

Among the aims and objectives of the workshop is to bring about awareness on the importance of HIV/AID/STDs information, expose and train members in all aspects of HIV/AIDS information management and dissemination, assess the challenges and constraints facing the library information personnel in order to exam the contributing factors of the poor performance of library and information services in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country as well as to design a standard training package for current and prospective staff and equip members with IEC skill on the prevention of the disease.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Hannah Forster of the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies called on the general public to respect and support HIV/ AIDS patients, as they are part of the society.

She added people must also be open to AIDS patients to avoid them from being stigmatized, as carrying the disease does not make one less human

Madam Forster further stated that about 25.3 million people are currently infected with HIV/AIDS, which is making a significant increase in the world thus affecting all sectors of development.

She therefore called on the participants to be aware of the dangers of the disease as well as using preventive measures such as abstainance to avoid contracting the disease.

On his part the Director of the National AIDS Control Programme Saihou Ceesay stated that many HIV/AIDS patients in the world are suffering from stigmatization and discrimination, which greatly affects their living conditions. He called on the general public to join hands with government in the fight against the disease, which is claiming a lot of lives in Sub-Saharan Africa. He therefore called on the participants to make the best use of the workshop, which has a lot to offer to them.

Modou Sey a participant delivered the vote of thanks.