Former Zambian President Launches Health Communication Plan to Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness

Former Zambian president launches health communication plan to raise HIV/AIDS awareness

LUSAKA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) — Former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda on Friday evening launched a five-year health communicationplan of a local nongovernmental organization to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Kaunda praised the achievements of Zambia Center for Communication Program (ZCCP) in the last few years, saying the fledgling organization has played agreat role in disseminating information on HIV/AIDS.

The five-year-old NGO has handed out 2 million copies of HIV/ AIDS-themed magazines in Zambia and plans to distribute 4 million booklets on the scourge as well as a number of video and audio programs.

Kaunda said the public is more likely to adopt a positive health behavior and demand for increased health services if well informed.

“Supportive media messages can alter the way people think and behave towards HIV/AIDS and also build public support and positiveaction against the pandemic,” Kaunda said in a video message.

ZCCP Board Chairman Patrick Jabani echoed the world-renowned anti- HIV/AIDS campaigner, saying well-designed communication programs will make a difference on people’s health awareness.

“They can change the attitudes, they can change the behaviors and they can change the approaches, so that people will care more about their health,” Jabani said.

He said communication is one of the most important interventions in terms of prevention.

“The first step is to prevent and communication plays a very important role in that direction,” Jabani said.

“If we concentrate on preventing new infections, we are beginning to deal with the situation.”

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