Rotary Club of Vacoas campaigns for more awareness on AIDS among secondary school students

The Rotary Club of Vacoas held a seminar on "Aids awareness and its prevention for Secondary school students" on February, 6, 2005.  Organized by the Community Service under the Chairmanship of Past President Rajah Bhageerutty, it was attended by about 500 students from three State and Private secondary schools.

The speakers, Dr Poonoosamy and Dr Croochia, from the Aids Unit of the Ministry of Health & Quality of Life, spoke on the extent of the disease in Mauritius and drew attention of youngsters to the growing incidence of HIV aids among principally people addicted to heroine who make an abusive use of syringes. There is also a tendency to tempt school children into use of drugs through provision of free drugs which soon becomes very expensive and also leads the drug addict to a very high risk of exposure to AIDS. They drew attention to the long and difficult treatment that drug addicts have to undergo in order to get out of addiction and urged students to be more assertive and cautious when faced with doubtful situations. They also drew attention attention to the risks of unprotected sex which could have drastic consequence for the person.

The effort of the Rotary Club of Vacoas in this direction dates back to 1993.It was the first organization to hold a seminar on AIDS for secondary school students and this effort has been sustained every since. The Ministry of Education  would wish that such initiatives are carried out at national level, an option that the Club seeks to consider seriously for a near future. The event was held at the Municipality of Vacoas Phoenix, and attended by the Mayor, His Worship, Mr. Hiren Jankee and Councilors of  the town.