Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT)
One of the HEDEC’s Mission in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Cameroon is to carry out Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) in some Localities and communities in Cameroon as its pre-and post. This exercise has stretched out to some localities in Bameda such as the Government Bilingual High Schools Mbatu and Atiela, the Bamend Commercial Avenue and Bamenda Stadium.
The VCT exercise was the joint venture of HEDECS and its partners American Peace Corps, the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), PresCafe and the Regional Technical Group for the fight against HIV/AIDS (RTG)
HEDECS primary role was to mobilize the community, make logistical preparations, ensure school peer educators for HIV/AIDS education and sensitization during the VCT exercise and also to provide staff for the VCT exercise. The exercise was jointly sponsored by NIKE RED, HEDECS, American Peace Corps and the Cameroonian Association for Social Marketing (ACMS).
This joint venture was solicited through material, personnel and financial resources by HEDECS and the partners.
As part of preparatory activities for the World AIDS Day commemoration came to boast HEDECS intervention in these areas because they happen to be amidst communities of its intervention. HEDECS primary role was to mobilize the students and the entire community, make logistical preparations, ensure school peer educators for HIV/AIDS education and sensitization during the VCT exercise and also to provide staff for the VCT exercise. The exercise was jointly sponsored by NIKE RED, HEDECS, and the Regional Technical Group for the fight against HIV/AIDS (RTG). Applaudable collaboration was given by the delegation of the ministry of secondary and higher education.
The VCT pre and post activities was a success with the following indicators:
Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Exercises in Schools
Achievements
• HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) carried out in 2 schools in Bamenda
• 300 HIV/AIDS flyers distributed to students and school authorities
• 920 students and 200 community members gained access to HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing with results issued
• 1,500 community members gained knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention methods
• Partnership was enhanced between HEDECS and the schools for further collaboration
• Partnership was enhance between HEDECS and the other stakeholders for further collaboration
Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Exercise at Commercial Avenue
Achievements
• HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) carried out at Commercial Avenue a community in Bamenda
• 600 HIV/AIDS flyers, handout and posters distributed to community members
• 300 community members gained access to HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing with results issued.
• 1,000 community members gained knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention methods
• 100 female condoms and 500 pieces of male condoms distributed to community members
• Partnership has been enhanced between HEDECS and the other partners for further collaboration and projects
• The proper and correct use of the female and male condoms demonstrated
Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) Exercise at the Bamenda Stadium
Achievements
• HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) carried out at the Bamenda Stadium a community in Bamenda
• 800 HIV/AIDS flyers, handout and posters distributed to community members
• 350 community members gained access to HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing with 325 results issued.
• 700 community members gained knowledge on HIV/AIDS prevention methods
• 127 female condoms and 300 pieces of male condoms distributed to community members
• Partnership was enhanced between HEDECS and the other partners for further collaboration and projects
• The proper and correct use of the female and male condoms demonstrated
