KOTA KINABALU: Parents should be more proactive and involved in helping their children to stay away from negative activities that could contribute to social issues, says Datuk Dr Asits Sanna.
The Sabah Health Department director said with parenting getting more challenging, it was necessary for parents to be more involved in their children’s growing up journey.
“With the aim of creating a better generation of tomorrow, parents can play their part at home by spending more time with their children, assisting them to build self-confidence, encouraging them to take part in beneficial activities and guiding them as they grow,” he said during the state level World AIDS Day event at the Penampang Cultural Centre near here recently.
Dr Asits said parents should also encourage their children to explore their interests and find a purpose or goal in life.
He said parents must be involved in their children’s school activities, including finding out who their friends are.
“It is important to establish a kind of bond with your children and instil moral values in them,” he added.
This way, he said parents could help to prevent their kids from being involved in activities such as alcohol or drug abuse, sex, violence, smoking, playing truant and underperforming in school, among others.
“We must get involved to create a healthier generation, one that is free from HIV/AIDS,” he said.
He said on the department’s side, a Prostar 2.0 (Teen Health Programme without AIDS) event has been set for 2024.
“We will enrol Form Four students for this programme held together with the collaboration of the Sabah Education Department,” said Dr Asits.
A total of 22 Prostar trainers have been trained to make the programme a success, he added.
