LIBYA: Launch of national week-long campaign to combat HIV/AIDS

Record ID: 402324

  • Title: LIBYA: Launch of national week-long campaign to combat HIV/AIDS
  • Date: 15th December 2009
  • Summary: TRIPOLI, LIBYA (DECEMBER 15, 2009) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION AT THE CENTRE FOR CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE AND EPIDEMIC DISEASES, AMMAR ALI AMMAR, SAYING: "Our aim is to avoid discrimination within society between those who live with the virus and the different layers of society, and to encourage the blending in of those suffering from the diseas
  • Embargoed: 30th December 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Health,Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA49FLSI5FVX2451O48S32OIA3E
  • Story Text: To commemorate World AIDS Day on December 1, Libya's Health Ministry and The Centre for Communicable and Epidemic Diseases in Libya launched a month-long travelling campaign to raise awareness of the disease amongst Libyans especially young people and women.
    The campaign trail which began in Tripoli on World AIDS Day will continue till the end of December and will tour different Libyan cities in the aim of informing and educating people of the dangers of the disease.
    The stigma attached to AIDS often results in victims feeling isolated from society. The Director of Information at the Centre for Control of Communicable and Epidemic Diseases in Libya, Ammar Ali Ammar says one of the campaign's aims is to combat discrimination against those infected and to help them lead a normal life.
    "Our aim is to avoid discrimination within society between those who live with the virus and the different layers of society, and to encourage the blending in of those suffering from the disease within society, so they have job opportunities and are able to mix with society, in various different ways," he said.
    At the large tent in Tripoli dedicated to the campaign, there were exhibitions, photographs and drawings as well as information leaflets and lectures prepared by specialists to educate visitors about the disease and how to avoid infection.
    There are no official statistics on the number of people infected with HIV/AIDS in Libya, but some organisations have estimated the number to be around 15,000 in Libya alone.
    Those with the disease get free medical care in the country and so people were encouraged to register at the different campaign venues.
    Libyan society has become more aware of the disease thanks to the dedication of a number of organisations in Libya, said Ammar
    "Society has become aware of the dangers of this disease, with the help of many organisations - Boy Scouts, Youth Voluntary Organisation, charities, religious endowment council, in Friday prayers and through religious education" he said.
    During the campaign people infected with AIDS had the opportunity to take part in sporting competitions including football, to improve their fitness and to help them blend with society.
    Campaigners will tour cities in the south, east and west of Libya to combat and raise awareness of the disease, and to educate people about where they can get advice, free tests and medication from.
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