Georgetown, GINA, February 26, 2004

Youths in Guyana are very vibrant in sensitizing and educating their peers to HIV/AIDS and Adolescent Health Coordinator Jennifer Miller is pleased with their active participation.
She said that 2004 has already seen several health clubs formulated and it is hoped that more youths are becoming aware of the disease.
In 2003, a National Framework for Child and Adolescent Health was created. Then there were two national meetings held at Madewini with the themes: “Youth Leadership in Health” and “National Network Meeting for School Health Clubs”
Also 31 health club members and seven teacher advisors from eight health clubs attended “Youth Leadership in Health” and took part in interactive sessions on various youth-health related issues including: adolescent sexuality and reproductive health; HIV/AIDS; alcohol, tobacco and drugs; mental health; life skills; nutrition and first aid.
Health club activities also include: first aid training; peer education; school cleanups; collaborative water and sanitation projects; advocacy for smoke-free school zones; sporting events; eye screening clinics; HIV/AIDS/STI information-sharing sessions, poster contests between 5 schools in Linden; visits to health facilities; health debates between schools
These activities are supported by many entities including the Ministry of Health programmes and other Ministries, including Culture, Youth and Sport; Education; and Human Services and Social Security.
International Organizations such as Pathfinder International; US Government Agencies and contractors including USA1D, Peace Corps and Population Services International; and local organizations such as Red Cross, Linden Care Foundation, and Volunteer Youth Corps and New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation were also active participants.
Miller disclosed that funding came from Pan-American Health Organisation PAHO, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Development at approximately US $20,000.
A Youth-Friendly Health Services Initiative has also begun in Region 4, in collaboration with the Dorothy Bailey Health Centre.
Over 30 school health clubs were either launched or prepared for launching in seven Regions.