‘The most terrifying pandemic of modern times’
With the aim of raising awareness among the
general public and the fighting against the destructive HIV/Aids pandemic, the
Polytechnic of Namibia held their annual HIV/Aids awareness campaign this
week.?It is tragic that at the onset of this new millennium the world is
confronted with the devastating HIV/Aids pandemic which is causing terrible
miseries and deaths of millions of people globally,? said the rector of the
Polytechnic, Dr Tjama Tjivikua.The awareness campaign was held in partnership
with students, staff and the public at Wernhill Park on Wednesday, 1 June. The
mayor of the city of Windhoek, Mathew Shikongo, said that HIV/Aids is robbing us
of our people and future successors. He urged all present to take this HIV/Aids
awareness campaign seriously and said the city of Windhoek will join and give
the necessary support. According to the organisers, the health of the nation is
a key determinant of our success and development.?HIV/Aids touches everyone, it
kills without conscience, rich or poor, black or white, young or old. More than
ever before we need to focus on what unites us, not divides us?, he quoted Sean
Combs (a.k.a P Diddy) as saying.According to Dr Tjivikua, as long as the world
is affected in any way by HIV/Aids, we had to accept that we are all affected.
This year was the Polytechnic’s ninth HIV/Aids awareness campaign and was themed
‘Reach out and Touch’. Various schools, representatives of children?s
organisation, individuals and members of the community joined the awareness
campaign.Dr Tjivikua thanked all the Polytechnic’s partners in education for the
support they provided and continued to provide. He offered a special and hearty
thanks to the city of Windhoek, UNICEF, UNFPA, First National Bank, MetHealth,
Namibia Medical Care and all the other sponsors and supporters.