Leaders have crucial role in HIV/AIDS awareness: Dr Moiya
ELECTED leaders in the country have a crucial role in educating the masses and make an impact on the fight against HIV/AIDS, says the Director of the National Aids Council (NACS) Dr Ninkama Moiya.
Speaking on the Karai Radio's Government Talkback this week Dr Ninkama reiterated that unless leaders in the country step-up their efforts, the populace will continue to face the perilous epidemic.
"We can have all the money but without political direction we will go back to square one. We need leaders to be out in the front with the awareness exercise," said Dr Ninkama.
He said countries like Uganda and Thailand were classical examples of how leaders were at the helm of crusade, with significant results.
Dr Ninkama said the Presidents of both countries had publicly declared their position and have successfully allowed the citizenry to support their cause.
"When the leaders took the lead in the fight against HIV-AIDS, especially the use of condoms, the infection rate came down," said Dr Ninkama.
He said it was true that Parliament had a special committee on HIV-AIDS but addressing fellow parliamentarians was different to facing their people.
"Politicians themselves need to be educated so that they can understand what they have to tell their people," said Dr Ninkama.
He said the NAC was ably assisted by donors to address the approach, which he believes if implemented well, will derive the necessary results.
He was accompanied by NACS' legal adviser Bomal Gonapa during the talk back program and other senior officials from NGOs associated with the fight against HIV-AIDS.
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