Duduza Main Clinic in partnership with the Love Life Team commemorated World Aids Day last Thursday.
The event was hosted to look back at the achievements and the journey the clinic has travelled through the years offering HIV/Aids education and treatment.
Also read: World Aids Day: HIV/Aids today at a glance
Health promoter at the Clinic, Queen Mahlangu, says they are trying to encourage their patients to be open about the virus.
“Through education they will be able to educate others; in this way we will be able to control the spread of the virus.
“We also want our patients to know that testing positive doesn’t mean that it is the end of their lives.
“One can lead a healthy lifestyle by exercising, eating healthy, taking treatment and use protection during sexual intercourse at all times.
“The key to a long life lies in your hands and accepting your health status,” she says.
Queen says World Aids Day is not only a day to celebrate the disease itself or those who died of it but to honour and review the journey we have travelled to fight it.
“We also want to unite in the fight against HIV/Aids and to show support for those people living with the virus,” she says.
Also read: Living Positively: 7 famous people living with HIV/Aids
Sister in charge, Mpho Seema, emphasised that the Department of Health has created programmes that are designed to help cater for people living with the virus.
“We are calling on the residents to use these facilities to their advantage.
“These are your services brought closer to you; there are also health professionals who are trained to cater to your needs.
“There is no need to flock to other clinics out of your area because you don’t like certain practitioners.
“If you feel that your rights have been violated please write a complaint and drop it in the suggestion box.
“We will attend to it and those responsible will be dealt with accordingly, “she says.
