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The following is issued on behalf of the Red Ribbon Centre:

Safety Seven is a radio programme. Miss Miriam Yeung Chin-wah, a Joint United Nations Programme on HIV /AIDS (UNAIDS) Hong Kong Ambassador, in the radio programme Safety Seven will play her role as a volunteer. The programme describes some experience which she gained in handling some cases when she worked as a volunteer.

As an artist, Miss Miriam Yeung interprets with other participants the stories in a lively and casual manner. Information related to HIV/AIDS will be disseminated to the public and an emphasis will be laid on the importance of one's preventive measures which ought to be taken apart from protection from HIV/AIDS. It has been well-established that the earlier we detect the infection, the better results we may derive from the follow-up treatment. Members of the public are also encouraged to support and care for those who are living with HIV/AIDS. In one story, the programme concerns how the pregnant woman may protect herself and her baby conceived. It is recommended that a pregnant woman ought to receive an antenatal HIV/AIDS antibody test. In another story the programme draws the attention of the youth to the fact that it is unwise to seek refuge by taking drug just for the sake of escaping from their unpleasant reality. It certainly will not better their situation and help them solve their problems; instead taking drug will put them at greater risks.

The radio programme series consists of seven parts with seven different themes:

Use condom

Avoid injection of drugs

Test for HIV in pregnant mothers

Do not donate blood as a means of testing

Dial the AIDS hotline for advice

Go for early diagnosis and treatment

Know how HIV cannot be transmitted

The radio programme Safety Seven is broadcast every Monday (from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) starting on 26 February 2001 until 9 April 2001 at Commercial Radio One (CR1). If members of the public miss any part of the programme, they may visit the website of 27802211.com and listen to the missing part again one week after it has been broadcast on the radio.

A lot of other information on HIV/AIDS is also available from the AIDS website at http://www.info.gov.hk/aids, and free, anonymous and confidential HIV testing can be arranged via the AIDS Hotline 2780 2211.

End/Saturday, March 3, 2001

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