MMC for Health and Social Development Nonceba Molwele attended a candle light memorial held at the Methodist Church in Dobsonville.
Speaking in the cathedral, Molwele said churches are needed by government to help fight discrimination, stigma and to spread the truth about the impact of HIV/Aids across all age groups.
Molwele appreciated testimony shared with the audience by people living with the virus.
She expressed her gratitude to caregivers and people who commit themselves to serving the community.
“Health workers who go to different homes to wash, clean, bath patients and cook for the sick are to be thanked for continuously making a variation,” she said.
Molwele said people who first came into contact with HIV – from whom some died, made the world realise the impact of the illness and that it exists.
“Today we commemorate such people,” she said.
She said the city of Joburg is prepared to work with health promoters within the private sector, NGOs and the community in general.
“Gone are the days when people had to keep serious health problems to them because they were either afraid to neither speak nor be judged,” said Molwele.
Molwele said government has partnered with Faith Based Organisation (FBO’s) to address societal problems.
