Hamad: Advocate condom use? Not Me!
 
2005-09-24 08:27:01
By Issa Yussuf, Zanzibar

	Seif Shariff Hamad

Civic United Front (CUF) Zanzibar presidential candidate Seif Shariff Hamad said yesterday that he would not publicly advocate for condom use in the fight against HIV/Aids if he was elected next month.

He said when unveiling his plan for health that he would rather push for abstinence and the observance of cultural and religious values.

’’My government would work hard to ensure that everyone gets the message that HIV/Aids is a killer disease.

The youth should abide by their cultural values and scriptural teachings to avoid infection.’

He observed that the advocacy for condom use in Zanzibar was another way of promoting illicit sex among the youth.

’’Other officers in the government could openly advocate for the use of condom, but personally I would go for abstinence,’’ he said.

Hamad said combating HIV/Aids was among his top priorities, but he would also give due attention to eradicating malaria and tuberculosis.

He said that his government would expand free health services by recruiting skilled health workers and ensure that medicine and medical equipment were available in all hospitals.

’’CUF government will also consider paying doctors well and attracting Zanzibari medical experts currently working abroad to return and serve the country,’’ he said.

Hamad, who was accompanied by the CUF spokesperson on health issues, Dr Juma Ameir Muchi, told reporters at a local hotel that it was possible to have free medical services by avoiding unnecessary spending.

’’Better health services are more important than having guns. We shall also cut down expenditure on national celebrations such as Mapinduzi (Revolution) Day,’’ he said.

• SOURCE: Guardian