As part of the build-up towards the commemoration of World Aids Day, the West Rand District Health services, other government departments, local municipalities and Non-Governmental Organisations conducted two Youth Dialogues on Tuesday, 22 November.
The dialogues were conducted simultaneously at the Bekkersdal Sports Complex in Westonaria and the Life Recovery Centre in Randfontein.
According to Nonkumbulo Ntozakhe, the HIV/Aids and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Programme Manager, these dialogues were specifically focused on the age group of 15 to 24 years, as this is the group where the highest number of new HIV infections occurs.
“This intervention is a multi-sectoral approach towards disease prevention and the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with communicable diseases, through early detection of TB/ HIV/ Aids and related illnesses,” she explained.
At least 150 service users of the Life Recovery Centre attended and participated in the dialogue by asking questions that can help them to change their behaviour as they reintegrate into their communities after their stay at the centre.
At least 72 people were screened for tuberculosis and high blood pressure and 32 were screened for sugar levels and only one showed the signs and symptoms of these diseases. Fifty people tested for HIV – and five males between the ages of 15 and 49 tested positive and were referred to the nearest clinic for further management.
A 45-year-old man from Meadowlands, Soweto who is a service user at the centre said, “I was not aware that I am HIV positive and I am very disappointed, but this is not the end of the world. The counsellor who tested me explained what I should do in order to live longer with HIV.”
At the Bekkersdal campaign, Sello Rampaku, the chairperson of the Bekkersdal Men’s Forum happened to be among the speakers of the day. He said the following: “Gangsterism is the challenge in this township. The youth of Bekkersdal should start to realise that smoking dagga, committing crimes, and participating in gangsterism does not pay.”
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