Joburg to increase awareness for World Aids Day
The City of Johannesburg has planned numerous activities to increase awareness for World Aids Day 2016.
As the City of Johannesburg gears up to observed World Aids Day on 1 December, the entity along with the Gauteng Department of Health and other partners have been embarking on numerous activities to educate communities about HIV/Aids.
The 2016 theme for the international day is ‘It is in our hand to end HIV and TB’, which will be spread through increased awareness about the benefits of HIV testing and counselling, prevention and treatment programmes.
Spoksperson for the City of Johannesburg, Nkosinathi Nkabinde said, “The City has trained a number of volunteers to reach out to marginalised groups, in particular, in a bid to heighten the campaigns against HIV and Aids.
“The main aim of the initiative is to educate and prevent new HIV infections among sectors of the population that are most vulnerable and most at risk. The volunteers are also providing information about testing and treatment policies and improve linkages to treatment that are available at all the City’s clinics.”
Mpho Phalatse, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg said, “In our quest to prevent additional infections, it is imperative to accelerate action around the protection and empowerment of young women and key populations throughout the City.
“This will be achieved through the various focused prevention and care programmes within the City of Johannesburg. It is important for all to know their HIV status and respond responsibly to their status. If HIV negative, choose to remain negative. If positive stay healthy, [and] enrol into care.”
World Aids Day awareness activities are to be held as follows:
- Man to Man (Score4Life Launch) on 25 November at Alex Plaza in Alexandra.
- Tjovitjo (Prevention of HIV/Aids, STIs and TB through Sports, Arts and Culture targeted at the youth in and out of school) on 26 November at Riverlea Recreation Centre in Riverlea.
- Tshepa Thapela – a citywide campaign encouraging churches to play a pivotal role in addressing HIV and AIDS on 27 November.
- Man to Man – Diepkloof Men’s Forum, Sonke Gender Justice and Partners on 1 December at Diepkloof Hall, Soweto.
- World Aids Day national event on 1 December at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.
The City of Johannesburg urges all the community members to participate in these campaigns.
Details: www.aids2016.org
Read:Â A revolution in HIV and TB molecular testing
