Clinic urges community to learn their HIV status
Health promoter Fulufhelo Mudau says after 30 years since the virus was first discovered, people are still reluctant and scared of being tested.
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KwaThema – Patients were treated to chocolate by health promoters at the Selope Clinic in celebration of World Aids Day on December 2.
The event was held in partnership with Hlasempho Community Development Projects.
The aim of the event was to urge residents to prioritise knowing their HIV status, to remember those who died of the virus,to educate residents about HIV/Aids and to motivate those who are living with the virus.
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Health promoter Fulufhelo Mudau says after 30 years since the virus was first discovered, people are still reluctant and scared of being tested.
“We might not all be infected, but we are definitely affected.
“People do not want to get tested, which is the most important first step.
“Getting tested and knowing your status shows that you are taking responsibility for your own life because, unlike many years ago, we now have effective treatment which really works in suppressing the virus,” says Mudau.
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She says one major factor that is slowly killing the nation is the stigma associated with the disease.
Nomaswati Lunga Nkosi, a data capturer, says: “Stats show that 7.7 million South Africans are living with HIV/Aids.
“Five years ago the government implemented a 90 per cent strategy in trying to win against this virus, which stated that 90 per cent of citizens must get tested and must immediately be placed on treatment.
“Unfortunately, in our database we have a record of 10 per cent from January to October, and out of this percentage 7 per cent were found to be positive.
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“This is alarming and a cause for concern.
“Therefore, such days are very important because they enable us to have a one-on-one with the community.”
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Residents were taught about healthy living and eating healthily, the importance of testing and having a support structure.
Chairperson of Hlasempho Community Development Projects, Martha Ntshona, says: “Our job is to educate patients living with HIV/Aids and other non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, and teach them about the importance of eating healthily and following a balanced nutritional diet.”
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