Beni, 12 July, 2016 - The HIV/AIDS Section of MONUSCO has ended a four-day HIV sensitization campaign in Beni. The aim of the awareness activities was to sensitize officers of the Congolese National Armed Forces (FARDC) and Police (PNC). The event took place in three different locations in the town of Beni. 

Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Beni town council hall, the PNC commander called on his close collaborators to be attentive during the sensitization in order to acquire knowledge that would enable them to better educate fellow colleagues on the ways of HIV prevention. He said it was necessary for the police to stay healthy in order to carry out their field assignments properly.

Attended by high level PNC officials from various departments, the police boss took advantage of the event to call for a responsible way of life - both at the professional and individual levels. He further urged his colleagues to enable their respective families to turn out in their numbers for the great sensitization that was planned for the next day within the PNC premises.  

“The family is central to our lives and the response to HIV should start from within the family. That is why you need to talk about HIV and AIDS to your families,” he urged participants. “If we do not sensitize our own families, who will do so in our place,” he questioned while stressing the need for people to know their HIV status as early as possible.

The sensitization campaign held with the assistance of MONUSCO, UNAIDS, and RCID, a local NGO, also dwell much on  the fight against HIV stigma and discrimination that are still keeping most people away from services such as voluntary confidential counseling and testing (VCCT).
At the military barracks in Bungulu Council Area, scores of military officers turned out for the sensitization activities. The FARDC commander called on all his colleagues to exercise patient and show discipline throughout the period of sensitization. He reminded his audience that if soldiers are sick the state security will not be properly handled. 

“All of us need to take this sensitization exercise serious in order to protect ourselves from HIV”, the Commander told listeners. “It is better to know how to protect ourselves from HIV. We also need to take this message home to our families and colleagues”, he concluded.

The documents showing details of the campaign indicates that if the world wants stability, peace, and sustainable development, we cannot run away from the needs of people living with HIV or from the harm caused by HIV stigma and discrimination. 

However, it is necessary to note that the campaign falls in line with the new vision of UNAIDS - which is the United Nations agency leading the world’s HIV and AIDS response. This vision seeks to bring the AIDS epidemic under control by 2030 so that it should no longer be a public health threat to any region or individuals - and for the millions of people living with HIV, the document says, the health and quality of life would remain a major priority of UNAIDS.  

By Joseph Tabung Banah