NAIROBI, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese digital television company StarTimes on Monday announced a partnership with the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to promote awareness among Kenyan youth through a mobile online video application.
The two sides will harness technology to boost spread of content in Kenya related to HIV/AIDS awareness.
"We have seen progress in most countries today, but the biggest challenge that we face is complacency. The young people do not have information, knowledge and so do not prevent themselves," said UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe.
"Information, knowledge and education is key and that is why StarTimes is a very strategic partner for us," he added.
Kenya has one of the highest populations of youth living with HIV/AIDS in Africa. According to government estimates, nearly 300,000 Kenyans between 15 and 24 are infected with the AIDS virus.
In February 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta launched an initiative to end HIV/AIDS infection among young adults through more investment in prevention and treatment of the disease.
It is hoped that the partnership between UNAIDS and StarTimes will improve Kenyan youths' access to information on prevention and management of the infectious disease.
"Sharing information, bringing knowledge and making sure that we can change young people will be key to ending AIDS," said Sidibe.
StarTimes Group Vice President Guo Ziqi said her company aims to harness digital revolution that has spread across Africa to promote AIDS awareness targeting the youth.
"The StarTimes app will now be streaming the 'Zero Discrimination' messages as part of the cooperation with UNAIDS," Guo said.
StarTimes and UNAIDS are involved in robust AIDS awareness campaigns in many African countries. They signed a memorandum of understanding in May last year to support the endeavor.
"With more broadcasting platforms and a bigger and diversified subscriber base and richer content, we will be able to make the best of all our resources to help end the AIDES epidemic by 2030," Guo said.
