AIDS-Free Holidays: 4.8 Million Youths Sensitised

Public Health Minister, Manaouda Malachi, has unveiled the results of the 23rd edition of the “AIDSFree Holidays” campaign, highlighting progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS while acknowledging ongoing challenges. He was speaking in Yaounde yesterday September 23, 2025 during a press briefing. Despite measurable advancements, the Minister of Public Health said the country remains in a generalized epidemic situation, with certain groups, particularly youth, bearing a disproportionate burden. It is worth recalling that the "AIDSfree Holidays" initiative is an ambitious, ongoing, and sustained programme benefiting both schoolaged and out-of-school youths. Launched in 2003 by the First Lady of Cameroon, Mrs Chantal Biya, UNAIDS Special Ambassador, its primary objective is to combat sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS during school holidays. Although the final results of the 23rd edition of AIDS-free Holidays, which commenced on 23 July and ran for 20 days, are still being consolidated, the Minister announced that approximately 4.8 million young people were reached through educational talks, individual interviews, social media, and media campaigns. Furthermore, statistics revealed that around 336,649 male condoms, 33,998 female condoms, and 117,630 lubricants were distributed, with a particular emphasis on educational activities focusing on the correct use of condoms. The campaign also offered voluntary HIV and hepatitis B testing. For HIV testing, 274,674 individuals presented themselv...