SOCIETY
2019 International Women's Day
Chantal Biya international Reference Centre organizes health
talk ahead of Women’s day
The event took place at the headquarters of the Chantal Biya
International Reference for the prevention and fight against HIV/AIDS on March 6,
2019. The health talk that had as theme, “Knowledge, attitude, practice and
perception of HIV/AIDS and viral Hepatitis” was part on week long activities
leading up to the celebration of the 34th International Women’s day
on March 8, 2019.
Opening the session
that lasted close to 3 hours, the Director of the Chantal Biya International
Reference Centre with French acronym, CIRCB, Prof. NDJOLO Alexix took
participants through the history behind the celebration of the International Women’s
day and noting that the woman in the past (though one cannot confidently say it no longer happens today) was subjected to many abuses and all forms of discrimination. He said women at the Centre are given same treatment as men
and that the first lady of the Republic of Cameroon, Madam Chantal Biya has
given the pride of place to the woman. Therefore, the Centre cannot be indifferent
at a time when the world celebrates womanhood.
Key presentations focused on HIV/AIDS and viral Hepatitis
and also persons who have lived with these diseases for decades shared their
testimonies to encourage women and participants know that knowing their status
and following medical counsel can help one live a normal life. Also, victims
confessed they suffered rejection by family and society but were keen enough to
follow what medics said and today, are living fulfilling and satisfying lives. One of the patients who was bold enough to share her testimony has lived with HIV for more than 20 years and that immediately she was tested positive, her husband and family rejected her. From then, she continued following the doctor's advice and also had to continue with life. She went to school and today runs many businesses alongside social work. She said she had 5 children then and later on in her life decided to deliver the 6th who is 12 years old today and encourages women to wake up and not think that having a husband is all they need.
Talking to the press, Dr. Sylvie Moubourou, who was one of the facilitators said since the woman is the mother of all creation, while celebrating women’s day, women should take it as a point of duty to be tested especially those who are pregnant in order to save lives of their children (https://soundcloud.com/user-326021129-923114349/dr-sylvie-moubourou-talks-on-hivaids-and-hepatitis). Mrs Mvomi, one of the participants said she was happy to have taken part in the health talk and that she was going home enlightened. She said what she learnt is the necessity for the woman to get tested in order to know her status and how to live with the disease if tested positive. From the edifying presentations and testimonies of the once dreaded HIV/AIDS, participants were unanimous at the end that having HIV is not the end to life as earlier presented.
Talking to the press, Dr. Sylvie Moubourou, who was one of the facilitators said since the woman is the mother of all creation, while celebrating women’s day, women should take it as a point of duty to be tested especially those who are pregnant in order to save lives of their children (https://soundcloud.com/user-326021129-923114349/dr-sylvie-moubourou-talks-on-hivaids-and-hepatitis). Mrs Mvomi, one of the participants said she was happy to have taken part in the health talk and that she was going home enlightened. She said what she learnt is the necessity for the woman to get tested in order to know her status and how to live with the disease if tested positive. From the edifying presentations and testimonies of the once dreaded HIV/AIDS, participants were unanimous at the end that having HIV is not the end to life as earlier presented.
By Awoh Caleb in Yaounde
Comments
FORWARD !