University of Goroka supports World AIDS Day Celebrations

 

On Tuesday 1^st December 2009, a team from the University of Goroka staff helped to support World AIDS Day celebrations in Goroka Eastern Highlands Province.

In a show of continued support for HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention at UOG, a team of staff members participated in a float around town and out along the Highlands Highway to Five-Mile with partners from Goroka Base Hospital, Provincial Health, Highland Regional Nursing College, Save the Children, Institute of Medical Research and other NGOs.

UOG staff gave out pamphlets and condoms to the public along the way, whilst sending out messages about HIV/AIDS prevention via a loud hailer from the back of a university vehicle decorated with awareness posters and a large red ribbon.

Staff members of UOG unable to participate in the float wore red or HIV/AIDS ribbons on the day to show their support for HIV/AIDS awareness. 

A banner was also hung outside the Administration block with the message: Stigma Kills, Love Heals. 

Vice Chancellor of the University of Goroka, Dr Gairo Onagi, stated that he was happy to support the participation of his staff in World AIDS Day celebrations in the community as UOG currently teaches a compulsory course on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention to its students.

The participation of staff for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness was coordinated by Mrs Alice Kauba, senior tutor from the Health Section of the Science Faculty, and was held as a follow on from early celebrations of World AIDS Day celebrated on campus on the 9^th November 2009 by UOG health students.