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Congo-Kinshasa: Maniema - People Living With Aids (PLA) Call On Authorities to Act
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United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
3 December 2007
Posted to the web 3 December 2007
Abou Mouhilou Seidou
Following the example of other DRC provinces, Maniema celebrated World Aids Day On 1 December 2007. The day was an occasion for people living with HIV/Aids to challenge leaders to fight this plague that devastates the world.
World Aids Day has a theme of leadership, so that all those with leadership qualities can help in the fight against this plague.
In Kindu, the day was jointly organised by MONUC and international and national organisations working in the fight against HIV/Aids, in particular the PNLS (National programme in the fight against AIDS) the PNMLS (Multisector National plan in the fight against AIDS), Care International, GTZ, as well as local government.
Previously, several sensitising activities were organised in churches, schools and other gathering places, where films and stage performances were used to reach the most vulnerable and to bring them to a realization of the growing extent of the phenomenon.
A football game was organised like a motorised caravan that followed the main arteries of the city. The goal of the caravan was to draw the attention of the people of Kindu to the importance of this day which must not only remind everyone of the gravity of this pandemic, but also to invite them to understand how Aids patients live on a daily basis.
The PLA's appeal for the engagement of their leaders
At the conclusion of this caravan which ended in Kindu centre, the people living with HIV/Aids testified to the real existence of the disease, and spoke with the public to sensitise them. Practical advice was also given to avoid contracting the virus, namely: abstinence, fidelity and the use of condoms.
But more than all, it is a plea on the fate of the PLA which was made. They feel somewhat abandoned and reminded the authorities of their promises of helping them find Anti Retroviral drugs (ARVs).
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They made an appeal for more responsibility and engagement to the authorities in the fight against HIV/Aids. Maniema governor, Dr. Didi Manara Linga, announced that the province will distribute ARVs which will assist people who live with the virus.
The governor also promised a material assistance to the PLA, and urged youth to act more responsibly to protect their future, and therefore that of Maniema province.
Before Aids Day, the PLA, through a peaceful walk, drew the attention of the population to their difficult existence and requested a better place in the community be granted for them, to help them as much as possible to overcome the stigma of HIV/Aids.
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| Copyright © 2007 United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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