DOH and SPC work on a 'Safe Fest' campaign - share cultures, not diseases
by Tina Mata'afa
Samoa News Writer
The Department of Health and Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) are working on a 'Safe Fest campaign' to ensure that cultures-not diseases-are shared when an estimated 3,000 visitors from 27 Pacific island nations are in American Samoa for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts.
All the countries who will be represented during the festival have high rates of HIV and AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) that include gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia, SPC Behaviour Exchange Communication Specialist Robyn Drysdale told Samoa News yesterday.
"From previous experience, we know that these events are very fun, exciting, interesting...there is drama and the arts and shows...there is the opportunity to meet new people and do so many things...when people are celebrating they are likely to take risks," said Drysdale. "Our Safe Fest campaign is aimed at reducing the number of people who take those risks."
Drysdale, who works in SPC's public health program and arrived on Saturday from Australia, is currently on island to assist and provide support to DOH and the Organizing Committee in dealing with the influx of visitors who are expected for the festival.
During the week, Drysdale has met with the DOH, Organizing Committee members and DOH Medical Director Dr. Ivan Tuliau, who told Samoa News that addressing these issues before, during and after the festival "is a big concern."
"Robyn is working as a contact with SPC and very closely with the people at Department of Health to make sure communicable diseases are not spread during the festival," Organizing Committee Co-chair Lauti Simona told Samoa News following a meeting yesterday with DOH, Drysdale and Logistics Sub-committee Chair Nu'utai Sonny Thompson.
Safe Fest efforts are focused on preventing the spread of HIV, AIDS and STD.
Drysdale said the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts will "bring in a lot of people from 27 Pacific island nations" and during all the excitement, they want to make sure participants will share their "cultures, not diseases."
SAFE FEST CAMPAIGN
"It's (HIV and STD's) a big concern," Tuliau said. "We haven't had any cases of HIV in the last three years and we want to keep it that way."
Drysdale said safe festival kits will be provided to "every single person" in each visiting delegation that will include information that promotes safe practices and help participants to "stay safe."
Materials will be printed in French, Samoan and English.
"We want to keep people safe and that includes delegates and the local community as well," she explained.
Booths will be set up by DOH at venues where performances and activities will take place to dispense information and things (i.e. condoms) that will help people to stay safe. Health educators will be stationed at various booths to help people and direct them on where to get help.
Media spots are being planned and a talk show appearance to promote testing and the importance of staying safe.
SPC will be working to secure international sponsors to fund the Safe Fest campaign. Drysdale said they will be looking into securing funds from the Global Fund, AUS AID and United Nations agencies.
OTHER HEALTH ISSUES
Health concerns in addition to HIV and STD are possible overcrowding at LBJ's Emergency Room and dengue fever, which has lessened considerably in American Samoa the last year, Tuliau said.
DOH has devised preliminary plans to address health issues before the festival opens July 20, while the festival is in progress and after it ends Aug. 2.
Before the fest takes place, individuals from each delegation will be required to provide DOH with medical clearances in order to enter American Samoa.
"We are going to request medical clearances for each individual such as basic immunizations and a tuberculosis (TB) clearance," Tuilau explained.
During the festival, DOH is preparing to set up mobile units and mini-dispensaries at living quarters where delegations will be housed to treat and see patients who may require medical attention for minor problems, with more serious cases to be referred to LBJ.
DOH is also looking at the after effects of hosting delegates from countries where dengue fever, malaria and cholera are prevalent.
So far, American Samoa has seen only one type of dengue fever but in Melanesian countries, a second type to which American Samoa has not yet been exposed, is known to exist.
"People who have had the first type of dengue fever, if exposed to the second type, can easily get the second type which can cause problems" Tuliau explained.
DOH is working on plans to deal with diseases that could be brought in by participants from countries where malaria and cholera are endemic.
Additional meetings between DOH and Drysdale are scheduled for this week and further recommendations to address health concerns will be submitted by DOH to the Pacific Arts Festival Organizing Committee.
Reach the reporter at tina@samoanews.com.
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