Due to requests from NGOs during a two-day workshop last July for a Peer Educators Manual to be produced, the organisers of the seminar known as the Platform of Actors in the Fight Against AIDS in Cameroon, PAFAC, have published a manual to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The publication that has been sponsored by Bread for the World and the German Development Service-DED Cameroon, highlights issues such as adherence to HIV/treatment, live healthily with HIV virus, Prevention, immune systems, stop stigmatisation and discrimination, nutrition, sexual reproductive health education for young people, HIV in mothers and children and how to fight opportunistic infections.

The PAFAC Peer Education manual states that globally, there are abut 40 million people living with HIV virus. In the year 2005, UNAIDS estimated a total of 40,3 million (36,7-45,3) adults and children estimated to be living with HIV.The infected population was estimated to be 25.8 million people.

Speaking recently at the Presbyterian Church Centre-Ntamulung Bamenda, the President of PAFAC, Gideon Tamufor, said PAFAC is grateful for the continuous support from Bread for the World that enabled the participants reconvened to another workshop to train them on directives and enhance their skills on how to use the Peer Educators manual and a better understanding on the need to belong to PAFAC.

Cameroon, with an estimated population of about 16 million people, has a prevalence rate of 5,5 percent and almost 900,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the country. As per the 2004 survey, the Northwest Region hit the chat with 8,7 percent rate. Recent declarations from the Regional Technical Group for the Fight Against HIV/AIDS puts the prevalence rate at 5 percent.

Participants are expected to train others on how to use and put to practice the Peer Educators Manual of HIV/AIDS. The participants, on their part, thanked PAFAC, Bread for the World, DED and other partners for the series of training workshops that have improved on their lives and those living with the HIV/AIDS pandemic.