The 12th edition of AIDS Free Holiday has been launched in Cameroon with youth urged to intensify preventive methods against the ravaging HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The call was made last August 13 by Public Health Minister, Andre Mama Fouda who doubles as Chair of the National AIDS Control Committee at the Yaoundé Melen Head Office of the Pan African NGO of African First Ladies, African Synergy against AIDS and Suffering.

Speaking during the occasion which he co-chaired alongside the Minister of Youth Affairs and Civic Education Ismail Bidoung Mkpatt, Minister André Mama Fouda stressed that HIV/AIDS is a reality and called on all youth to join in the fight by first of all knowing their serological levels.

Holding under the theme “Youth, the fight against AIDS continues,” this year’s edition placed as usual under the distinguished patronage of Cameroon First Lady, Mrs Chantal Biya who doubles as Founding President of African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering, will enable peer educators to use the remaining two weeks holiday period to carryout a nationwide intense sensitization campaign with a target of reaching out to more than two million youth in a move to curb the spread of this pandemic in the country.

Speaking earlier, Youth Affairs and Civic Education Minister, Bidoung Mkpatt reminded youth that the country is relying on its vibrant and AIDS free youth who will succeed the elderly generation tomorrow.

He underlined that the threat of AIDS is still very close to us and that youth ought to be very careful because their life is not only dear to themselves and their families but to the entire nation that counts on them for its development.

He revealed that AIDS remains a major health threat in Cameroon with a 1.2% adolescent infection rate among youth from 15-19 years and 2.2% infection for adults of 20-24 years old.

For two weeks, the various peer educators are to animate educative talks with groups and individuals and distribute sensitization materials in order to encourage about 45000 youth to carry out free HIV/AIDS test for them to know their serology status.