World AIDS Day 2011 Celebrated at ECSU
Ato Philipos Petros, Head of HIV/AIDS Management Unit in the occasion said the first registered HIV/AIDS infection in Ethiopia occurs some 25 years ago in two people who were found HIV positive. Since then the pandemic grew and reached to 3.2 million 12 years ago, which is substantially reduced to 1.2 million in 2010 with reduction in adult prevalence rate from 7.7% in 2002 to 2.4% (national data compiled from ante natal service users). The Ethiopian Government, cognizant of this rise in the number of infected people, endorsed HIV/AIDS prevention and control policy .The policy recognized that HIV/AIDS is not a one sector problem; rather it is multi-sectoral and complex problem including health, economic, social, developmental and political problem in the country. He added that the Ethiopian Civil Service University organized HIV/AIDS Management Task force in 2003 and drafted the policy in 2004. He further underscored that the University has established HIV/AIDS Management Unit in September 2005 so as to institutionalize and coordinate gender sensitive mainstreaming of HIV&AIDS programs into its curricular and co-curricular activities. The university is contributing to the public sector through tailored and hands-on trainings, education, research, consultancy services and strategically working with universities and strategic partners in addressing the impact of the disease in the civil service.
Dr. Hailemichael Aberra, President of Ethiopian Civil Service University said in the occasion as it is stated in the health strategy of the country, HIV/AIDS is clearly identified as the major concern in the nation’s socio economic activity. This is the reason why the country has registered remarkable results in the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. Dr. Hailemichael noted that Ethiopia is one the few countries in the world who are believed to fulfill the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Ethiopia was given the chance to host the 16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA) 2011 due to the commitment it has shown to fight the disease. The president called on the University community to host the guests who are assigned to our University with great respect and hospitality. The president finally acknowledged the exemplary performance shown by the HIV/AIDS management Unit.
Ato Mogeus Menna, coordinator of the office of the Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions’’ partnership Forum against HIV/AIDS, said 16.6 million children have lost one or two of their parents due to this pandemic, 34 million people are believed to be living with HIV in the world and 68% of whom are sub-Saharan Africans. Ato Mogeus thanked the Ethiopian Civil Service University for providing office and while the Federal HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office supported the coordination office with office furniture.
In related development, the 16th International Conference on AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA 2011 Addis) held from December 4-8/2011 with the theme “Own, Scale up and sustain” in the Millennium hall, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia which is a clear demonstrations for success stories of multi-sectoral responses against the epidemic in Ethiopia. Ato Philipos Petros, HIV/AIDS management unit head of ECSU has been officially delegated for the last 12 months to work as a member of International Conference Organizing Committee member of Leadership Programs established by the Ministry of Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office . Asked about the role of ECSU and the over all feelings of the participants, he said
" the University was playing crucial roles for the success of the conference by being a member of the national committee and hosting large number of participants. "
The participants who stayed in our University were very happy of the catering services and hospitality of the University Community.
Banda Lizzie, participant from Zambia said “ I was personally touched by your kindness and may God bless you always............ I came to Ethiopia with only $ 20 for the visa and GOD used you to provide for me thank you so much. The reception given to us at Civil Service University was so heartwarming! You made me feel at home throughout my stay..............and for this thank you very much and the breakfast was always great!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "
Margaret Mwangi from Kenya also expressed his emotion like this. “ What can i say? It was great being in Ethiopia. To be sincere, previously, I had always written reports and sited language barrier as a challenge, it was not until i faced live, All the same you are great persons, and I was able to interact with people from other organizations. "