HIV/AIDS EDUCATION AND TESTING

“HIV/AIDS-the most talked about and feared sexually transmitted disease of the 21st century.”

This task will be spearheaded by Dr. Monica Carolina Leonard Calderon, Specialist in General and Integral Medicine attached to the Ana Betancourt Policlinic in Miramar and member of the CSYC alongside a team of Sexologists, Psychologists and other high profile doctors from the ‘Juan Manual Marques’ Pediatrics Hospital, The ‘Eusebio Hernandez’ Maternity Hospital and The ‘Calixto Garcia General Hospital, who have already pledged their loyal support towards this drive.

What I find most astonishing but at the same time upsetting about HIV/AIDS is the fact that despite the countless number of educational campaigns, it is still a major problem for young people all over the world and its persistence leaves ample space for doubts. Is it a communication problem?

Are they really receiving the message? Do they comprehend the message passed on to them? Is it disinterest? It is a matter of unconditional love in the face of a partner’s positive diagnosis of HIV? Is it that the information is lost or stored away temporarily seconds before the act of sex? Just by thinking about it one can arrive at so many hypotheses.

With this in mind, the education department of the CSYC is currently devising strategies that can positively aid in this drive which include stage shows, presentation of real cases {HIV/AIDS patients}, etc.

The event will draw audience from most of the secondary schools and universities in Havana and will be held at the ACC.

There will also be discussions on Teenage Pregnancy and Drug Abuse among young people.

This will be an excellent forum where the most frequently asked questions by the adolescent community will be answered.

The seminar promises constant interaction between the audience and the specialists.