Man United help UNICEF fight HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone

By Ahmed Sahid Nasralla (De Monk)

UNICEF yesterday unveiled the Manchester United FC Supported HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign in Sierra Leone at a press briefing held at the national football academy, Kingtom.

The campaign, which seeks to disseminate HIV/AIDS prevention messages to young people in Sierra Leone, is fully centered on football and sports and will be backed by radio jingles and television spots recorded in England by famous Manchester United footballers Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs.

Sierra Leone’s national football Captain, Mohamed Kallon, has also reportedly recorded a TV spot for the campaign.

UNICEF believes that a wider audience of youth and children can be reached through sport and play, especially football.

“UNICEF sees football and sports as a valuable education tool; a universal language to convey potentially life-saving information to hard-to-reach young people,” said country Director, Geert Cappalaere.

He said UNICEF, and other partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS, want to take advantage of the popularity of soccer and footballers and their commitment to lend their voices to a very important cause.

It is estimated that more than 48,000 Sierra Leoneans are HIV positive (as per last count). 1.6 of these are youth within the age of 15-24 yrs.

More alarming is the fact that most of those infected do not know that they are infected.

Furthermore, the risk factors in Sierra Leone are many. Only about 20% of young people know about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it, and less than 10% use condoms during sexual intercourse.

Nevertheless, Sierra Leone has one of the lowest HIV prevalence rates in Africa. But Mr Cappalaere said we must not rejoice about that.

“In 2002, the prevalence rate was estimated at 0.9%. A mere three years later it had nearly doubled to 1.53% in 2005.

“We must therefore not be complacent; otherwise the prevalence rate might double in the following years,” he said.

Mr Cappalaere said children are often forgotten in efforts at combating HIV/AIDS. He said UNICEF’s paramount concern is prioritizing children in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“We must not underestimate our youth,” said Mr Cappalaere. “If provided with the right information, incentives and skills, the Sierra Leonean youth can be a shinning example for others in HIV/AIDS prevention awareness.”

Also speaking at the press briefing is Dr Momodu Sesay, Programme Manager, National AIDS Control Programme.

He appealed to the press to help encourage people to go for HIV testing. He said there are over 200 HIV testing centers nationwide and treatment for both children and adults is available in 82 centers across Sierra Leone free of charge.