THE National AIDS Programme Secretariat’s two-day youth conference that attracted the participation of 150 youths from across the regions was a success, and participants were urged to impart the knowledge they gained to others in their respective communities.

Held at the Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara, the conference focused on health priorities for youths, raising awareness of health, defining strategies and key priority areas for action, and establishing a National Youth Network on health to address HIV/AIDS/STIs and other social issues that affect the youth population.
Speaking at the closing ceremony on Wednesday, Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran highlighted the importance of youths in any society, which is recognised by his ministry.
Schools have the largest body of youths, and Minister Ramsaran charged the participants to volunteer their time, assist teachers and organise health clubs.
On September 8, Caribbean Wellness Day will be celebrated across the region and the ministry will be organising a massive activity at the Square of the Revolution and along Brickdam to observe this event.
Minister Ramsaran urged the youths to participate in this activity which will be of some benefit to them as the ministry will be specifically focusing on health and well-being.
He congratulated them for their participation, and encouraged them to create a strong network among themselves, even as they part ways.
NAPS Programme Manager, Dr. Shanti Singh, said the conference was productive and that she is optimistic the network that was created during the sessions will have positive outcomes.
Several recommendations were made during the sessions and Dr. Singh said that NAPS will work to ensure that they are implemented. She said the organisation will make representation to the Ministries of Education, Health, and Culture, Youth and Sport in this regard. The recommendations coincide with that of the HIVISION 20/20.
The conference came against the backdrop of the HIVISION 20/20 and Guyana’s HIV Strategic Plan in which youths have been defined as a targeted population for action, quite similar to the regional recognition made by the Ministers of Health and youth at a special session last year.