Banjul — The National Assembly deputy speaker Honourable Belinda Bidwell has said should she possess the power and authority every Gambian would be sanctioned to go for an HIV/AIDS test.

Honourable Bidwell's concern with the pandemic comes days after the government expressed disquiet over the reported rise of the virus in some Gambian communities. Honourable Bidwell said this scourge is killing millions of people around the world, and there are evidence that it is gradually encroaching within our borders. Honourable Bidwell told the second sitting of the National Youth Parliament that all Gambians should put pride and fear aside and go for an HIV/AIDS test, as part of moves to stem the tide of this disease and promote a situation where Gambians will be reawakened to the dangers posed by the disease.

"Our youth who are the cream of the society are the only people dying of it and we should start testing and ensuring that we do not acquire the disease" she said, although she did not mention whether she was going to pave the way.

She said it is evident that the government is serious and ready to fight against the virus and render The Gambia AIDS-free.

She said the full participation of the Gambian youth is imperative in the fight against HIV/Aids.

The deputy speaker admonished the youth to banish the notion that the HIV/Aids virus is not real or that it is out of their reach. She also stated that although its prevalence rate in the Gambia is said to below, there should be no room for complacency.

"We do not want The Gambia to be like other African countries where the disease is making headways. Collectively we can win the battle against this terrible disease" she said.