AFB Hoedspruit commemorates World Aids Day
Members of Air Force Base (AFB) Hoedspruit convened at the Drakensig Community Hall on Thursday, December 1, to commemorate World Aids Day.
In his opening address, the officer in charge of the Health Centre Hoedspruit, Lt Col Johannes Lebese, appealed to members of the base to display solidarity in support of people living with HIV and to remember those who have died from Aids-related illnesses. Lebese recalled that World Aids Day was first acclaimed in 1988 after being acknowledged by the World Health Organisation.
According to the HIV timeline, the first verified case of an HIV patient was confirmed in 1959 by a known man who was living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “It is almost 34 years now since the start of the global commemoration of World Aids Day,” he said. Lebese said he believes that a solution to the pandemic will one day be found. He made a call to all members of the base to join each other in the fight against the HIV pandemic.
In remembrance of the millions of people who have died in the HIV pandemic, candles were lit followed by two minutes of silence. The programme was coordinated by Capt Kgomotso Kgole. Joseph Masia from the Department of Social Development said he urged all to stay exclusive if they are a couple and asked partners and family members to exercise openness and honesty among each other. He said this will assist them in dealing with the stigma of people living with HIV.
Also read: AFB Hoedspruit commemorates World Aids Day
He asked HIV sufferers to visit a counsellor, pastor, supervisor, or trustworthy person to talk to in order to get help. Masia encouraged members to get tested in order to know their status. According to the acting nursing area manager of the Health Centre Hoedspruit, Maj Kwena Gwebu, the candlelit service gave an opportunity for the centre to create awareness of the holistic HIV services they provide. Gwebu said that the centre provides health programmes as per the health calendar.
She said services at the centre are tailored to the unique needs of a patient. Lt Col Christopher Hattingh heads up the AFB Hoedspruit. Entertainment was presented by Thuli Moremi and her band.
