Cameroon’s Minister of Public Health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie, has hailed the 23rd edition of the “AIDS-Free Holidays” campaign as a resounding success, reporting that nearly five million young people were reached through awareness activities this year. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, September 5, 2025, in Yaoundé, the Minister described the initiative as a cornerstone in the nation’s fight to eliminate HIV/AIDS as a public health threat.
Launched in 2003 by First Lady Chantal Biya under the auspices of African Synergies Against AIDS and Suffering, the campaign seeks to educate school-aged and out-of-school youth on HIV prevention during the long holiday period. The 2025 edition ran under the theme, “Zero New HIV Infections Among Young People: Our Challenge for 2030.”
Strong Mobilization Across Ten Regions
Over three weeks, 670 trained peer educator volunteers fanned out across Cameroon’s ten regions, conducting educational talks, one-on-one sessions, and social media campaigns.
According to Dr. Manaouda, this year’s outreach engaged approximately 4.8 million young people, with emphasis placed on issues such as moral depravity, gender-based violence, and the correct use of condoms.
Campaign teams distributed 336,649 male condoms, 33,998 female condoms, and 117,630 lubricants, while offering voluntary and free testing for HIV and hepatitis B, a major innovation first introduced in 2024 and now strengthened.
Testing Results and Early Treatment
Reports from the Ministry show that 274,674 people presented themselves for testing during the campaign, with 26,094 successfully tested for HIV. Of those, 189 were identified as HIV-positive, 122 of them new cases. An impressive 94.2% of newly diagnosed individuals were immediately placed on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and all were encouraged to enroll in Cameroon’s Universal Health Coverage scheme to benefit from free treatment services.
Similarly, 17,247 individuals were tested for hepatitis B, resulting in 680 positive cases who have been referred for medical care. Dr. Manaouda stressed that hepatitis B remains a growing public health concern with a national prevalence rate of 11.2%, and that combining HIV and hepatitis B testing is a “major and beneficial innovation” that will continue in future editions.
Challenges Remain Despite Progress
Despite the gains, the Minister acknowledged persistent challenges. “Young people still pay a heavy price due to risky behaviours such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, shared drug injection equipment, misinformation, and stigma,” he said.
Adolescents and young adults account for 30% of new HIV infections in Cameroon, with infection rates nine times higher among girls than boys, according to the most recent national surveys.
Eliminating pediatric HIV and expanding care for undiagnosed children remain pressing priorities.
Looking Ahead: School-Based Health Clubs
As schools prepare to reopen for the 2025-2026 academic year, Dr. Manaouda urged peer educators to take the campaign’s momentum into classrooms by setting up “Health Clubs” to continue spreading messages of prevention and responsible behaviour.
He also called on parents to engage in regular dialogue with their children to discourage risky behaviour, drug and alcohol abuse, and other factors that increase vulnerability to HIV and sexually transmitted infections.
Gratitude and Call for Local Ownership
The Minister expressed gratitude to the First Lady, African Synergies, the United Nations system, and numerous bilateral and multilateral partners for their contributions to the campaign’s success. He encouraged regional and local authorities to “take ownership” of the initiative and expand it to areas with higher HIV prevalence.
“Together, we will succeed in eradicating HIV/AIDS,” Dr. Manaouda said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to achieving zero new infections by 2030.
Comments
Post a Comment