A section of DKT staff during the walk
DKT International Inc. Ghana (DKT), a registered non-profit organisation with focus on social marketing for family planning, has organised a health walk to highlight the importance of condom use as one of the protective measures against HIV/AIDS on World ADIS Day.
The walk from Ayi Mensah to Peduase Lodge, which was climaxed with aerobic exercise, was used to sensitise the public on HIV preventive measures while showing their support for people living with HIV.
DKT’s Country Director Mario E. Flores Alvarez, speaking with the media, said, “For DKT Ghana it is important to remind all Ghanaians that HIV/AIDS is still a global pandemic that affect the lives of millions of people around the world.
He said that was why DKT focuses on effective condom social marketing as part of its mission of providing safe options for HIV/AIDS prevention in Ghana.
However, he mentioned that the social marketing company also recognises that other approaches are necessary to be able to reduce new infections to zero, as well as provide early treatment that is instrumental for the health of adults and children living with HIV/AIDS.
“That is why this activity is our way of joining the World AIDS Day Ghana in creating awareness of knowing your HIV status to seek early treatment. In addition, it contributes to maintain awareness of consistent condom use as prevention, especially to the youth,” he stated.
DKT staff and supports also gave out Fiesta and Kiss Condoms and educated people on its use as part of their contribution to support World AIDS Day.
The annual worldwide World ADIS Day campaign, which is centred around the campaign, ‘My Health, My Right’, focuses on the right to health and explores the challenges people around the world face in exercising their rights.
“All people, regardless of their age, gender, where they live or who they love, have the right to health. No matter what their health needs are, everyone requires health solutions that are available and accessible, free from discrimination and of good quality,” Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, added.
This year’s Ghana’s World AIDS Day campaign is themed: ‘Know Your Status & Seek Early Treatment’.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri