On World AIDS Day, the HIV-prevention campaigns launched so far in the post offices of six countries continue to raise awareness of the deadly virus.
The global initiative launched this year by the UPU, UNAIDS, the International Labour Organization and UNI Global has been underway for months in Burkina Faso, China, Estonia, Mali, Nigeria and Senegal. Postal officials report that the population and health authorities are reacting positively to the campaign.
While medical treatment has improved, there is still no cure for AIDS and 7,400 new cases of HIV infection occur every day.
The Posts that care
African Posts in particular have gone to great lengths to involve staff in their campaigns and use both traditional and creative ways to draw attention to the prevention message.
In Nigeria, where an estimated three million people live with HIV, postal officials say the campaign and its slogan (“NIPOST cares, protect yourself”) has changed people’s perception of the postal service. Many now see the Post as a carrier of health information, not just mail. The campaign also drew excitement because the United Nations are involved, says NIPOST’s Maayen Ujong, who managed the campaign launch.
In Cameroon, the Post estimates that campaign materials are viewed daily by 36,000 people visiting any of its 258 post offices in the country. Large banners in front of the main post offices continue to draw attention to the campaign and the national committee against HIV has provided additional posters, flyers and female condoms for distribution.
Second phase
The UPU is now working with its partners to extend the campaign to other countries and launch a second phase by June 2010 to raise awareness among postal employees, with the ILO and UNI Global taking the lead. A tool kit is being developed to help employers develop an appropriate workplace policy on HIV/AIDS.
NIPOST’s Ujong says the second phase of the campaign will be just as important as the first. “When people are healthy, they can work,” she said.