Shabait.com (Asmara)
3 December 2007
Asmara — World AIDS Day on December 1 was marked nationwide. Reports indicated that general knowledge contests, dramas and sports competitions highlighting the need to exert stepped-up efforts to control the spread of HIV/AIDS infection were conducted.
In an observance at the national level by marking World AIDS Day in Keren, the branch head of the Ministry of Health in the Anseba region, Mr. Zecarias Ogbasilasie, stated that coordinated and organized efforts on the part of governmental and non governmental institutions play a vital role in controlling the spread of the epidemic. In this regard, he stressed the need to raise people's awareness as regards HIV/AIDS.
Also speaking on the occasion, Mr. Berhane Gebretinsae, director general of health services in the Ministry of Health, outlined the enormous negative consequences of HIV/AIDS at national and international level. He further pointed out that the Government of Eritrea is striving to control the rate of HIV infection.
Calling on all concerned parties to mount an effective campaign against the disease, Mr. Berhane said that over 100 health stations that render counseling and voluntary blood testing have been established across the country.
The WHO Country Representative, Dr. Andrew Kosia, said on his part that gratifying achievements have been registered in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS worldwide. However, he stressed the need to make increased endeavors to fight the epidemic.
Stating that the Eritrean Government continues to exert vigorous efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, the Administrator of Anseba region, Ms. Salma Hassan, explained that so far the number of health centers in the region has increased fivefold since independence.
Similarly, the Administrator of the Central region, Mr. Tewolde Kelati, pointed out at a gathering held in connection with this event, at the Cinema Odeon, that the Government has allocated substantial budget towards expanding health services in the country.
World AIDS Day was marked on Saturday for the 14th time in Eritrea and the 19th at a global level.
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