Ministry of Health & Environment

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Senior Medical Officer for the National HIV/STI Programme, Dr. Kevin Harvey (left), makes his presentation, during the Ministry of Health and Environment National HIV/STI Programme and World AIDS Day briefing, held on November 27, at the Ministry's downtown offices. At right is Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health and Environment, Dr. Sheila Campbell Forrester. World AIDS Day will be observed on December 1.

World AIDS Day will be observed on Monday, December 1 under the theme, Youth: Take the Lead.

The focus on youth is part of a global campaign, which began last December, to encourage young people ages 15-24 to become advocates and agents of change.

Citing the 2008 Knowledge, Attitude, Behaviour and Practice (KABP) Survey, Senior Medical Officer of the National HIV/STI Control Programme of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kevin Harvey, informed that HIV/AIDS remains the second leading cause of death for persons 15 to 24 years.

"The focus on the youth is timely as young people are extremely vulnerable to HIV/AIDS because of their involvement in risky lifestyle practices, common at those ages," he noted.

He urged parents and guardians to pay keen attention to developing good morals and values in children, as this will be crucial in stemming the current statistical trend. "We must make that kind of investment in the young, as this is extremely important for the development of stable adults and a better Jamaica," Dr. Harvey said.

He added that "the National HIV/STI Control Programme remains committed to equipping young people with the necessary information, skills and attitude to stay HIV-free".

Activities planned to commemorate World AIDS Day 2008, include a national church service at the Swallowfield Chapel in St. Andrew, on Sunday, November 30 at 7:30 a.m.; and a World AIDS Day Exposition at Devon House in St. Andrew, on Monday, December 1, starting at10:00 a.m.

The exposition is open to the public and will feature free voluntary counselling and testing services using the rapid HIV test. The day's activities will culminate with a grand concert at 4:00 p.m. featuring a DJ competition and performances from Digicel Rising Stars, Cameal Davis and Christopher Martin.

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