37 Newly Set Up HIV/AIDS Surveillance Stations Begin Operation

Addis Abeba Aug. 5 (ENA)--Some 37 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Stations established in rural and urban areas with the objective of studying the magnitude of the epidemic in order to be able to launch a consolidated preventive activities have begun operation, the Ministry of Health said on Monday.

Diseases Prevention and Control Department Head with the ministry, Alemayheu Seifu said the establishment of the stations is believed to be instrumental in the HIV/AIDS prevention activities as the they could identify the impact of the pandemic on the society.

He was speaking to a five-day workshop organized for health professionals to review the situation of HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

Alemayehu said there are 2.6 million people living with the virus of whom 250,000 are children under the age of 5 and 75,000 AIDS orphans.

The workshop is aimed at designing a consolidated HIV/AIDS prevention program assessing the awareness of the public about the transmission and prevention of the pestilence, the workshop organizers said.

Some 40 health professionals who came from all states are in attendance at the workshop.

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