As frequently reminded, the change in attitude should be rigorous. Then the university students are encouraged to get through screening to get aware of their health condition.
Thanks to the initiative of the National Committee on fight against AIDS (CNLS), the university of Antananarivo and the association of students and doctors called « Rassemblement d’étudiants et médecins de Madagascar –Remède” organized a three-day sensitization in the campus and in every university.
Sensitisation is performed through conferences on AIDS and sexually transmissible illnesses, and on free screenings.
The campaign started with the faculties the first day, Monday, followed by a door-to-door visit in the cities of Ambohipo, Ankatso I and Aankatso II.
Miss. Ainasoa Hossnaly Faniry, responsible of the Student’s Life Department of the Association Remède stated that « Thirty students passed through screening during the first morning, it’s a satisfying result », then she added « Sometimes, the problem is caused, in fact, by the reticence of the intellectual persons, who are difficult to convince ».
All year long, screening is being performed at the Ministry preventive service, which is very highly frequented by the students since they need visit this center for their yearly medical examinations.
As Miss Hantarisoa Juliana, a first year-student in Sociology, confirmed « It’s really an exceptional opportunity to have a door-to-door screening. The problem is that students do not have time to go visit any specialized screening centers. To this lack of time are added prejudices ».
As such a campaign constitutes one of the rare actions performed with regards to fight against AIDS within university campuses, the initiative of the Remède Association, supported by some regional students associations, deserves a follow-up.

Fanja Saholiarisoa
L'EXPRESS de Madagascar 26 July 2006