HIV/AIDS relief on the cards for youth

RWANDA: HIV/AIDS relief on the cards for youth

JOHANNESBURG, 22 Mar 2005 (PLUSNEWS) - Health authorities in Rwanda's Butare province are encouraging young people to undergo voluntary counselling and testing in an effort to tackle HIV/AIDS among the youth.

Joseph Sayinzoga, health director of the provincial youth council, explained that a four-month testing campaign in all districts would help determine the region's HIV prevalence.

According to a local newspaper, The New Times, Sayinzoga said: "The aim of the exercise is to have clear statistical data on the number of infected youth around the province."

Butare's health officials will use the data to draw up a comprehensive plan for combating HIV/AIDS, and provide antiretroviral drugs to those youth who test positive for HIV.

[ENDS]

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