France’s first lady CARLA BRUNI-SARKOZY was so traumatised to see the effects of Aids during a recent visit to Africa, she has vowed to fight people’s fear of the disease.
The singer is a spokesperson for the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria and travelled to the country of Burkina Faso back in February (09) to meet with HIV-positive mothers and children at a local hospital.
She also held talks with health officials and charity workers in a bid to advance the cause – and pledged to turn around the attitude of Africans towards the tragic illness.
Bruni-Sarkozy says, “The fact is that even though treatment is now available, AIDS/HIV is so stigmatised that women are afraid to get help.
“What I can’t stand is that people can be treated, mothers can protect their children from AIDS, but they are too scared of the disease – and the fear of the disease is what I can fight.”