Steven Nake and Linus Pileng
December 1st every year is World Aids Day to make awareness on how to combat HIV AIDS, show support to those living with the virus and remember those who have died from HIV AIDS.
On World Aids Day, red ribbons or red attires usually are worn to celebrate the day. The red ribbon signifies solidarity and support for those living with the virus.
The 2021 World Aids Day theme is “END INEQUALITIES. END AIDS”, with the focus on reaching the marginalized population, as this group are the ones that do not have access to essential HIV services.
PNGOPRA staff took one and half hours of their morning to mark this year’s World Aids Day. The Staff’s from the Sustainability and Quality Management (SQM) department of NBPOL, with a few from OPRS, also joined in.
PNGOPRA distributed red ribbons to staff as they came in for work in the morning. Similarly, the preparation team mounted big red ribbon stripes on the walls and roofs of the three OPRA office buildings and the Dami Clinic.
The day’s events started with a float that went around the staff residences and the office area. After the float, the staff assembled in front of the main office, where the Head of SSR, Mr Steven Nake, gave his welcoming remarks and acknowledged the staff’s who were there. Sister Claire from Dami Clinic and Margarette Yanda from SQM then made brief but informative awareness on HIV Aids. The Head of Finance and Admin, Ms Jenny Ramoi, and Ms Zaralyn Yakopa, the SQM Manager, assisted with a few remarks about the pandemic before the Director of Research, Mr Cheah See Siang, gave his closing remarks to end the speeches and awareness.
The OPRA Media team took a group photo at the end of the day’s activities before the staff resumed their regular business for the day.
Thank you to the staff who took time off from their busy schedule in the morning to participate in this small but significant event.
