Last week Thursday 01 December, Push NPO from Eldorado celebrated World AIDS Day to commemorate those living with HIV/AIDS as well as those who have died.
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This day provides an opportunity for communities to unite in the fight against HIV, AIDS, and STIs. It also stands to support those living with HIV, and remember those who have passed on as a result of AIDS-related illnesses.
According to Pricilla Khaoue who has been living with HIV for 20 years, the reason why we have such a great number of youths living with HIV is the prideful internal stigma. Where an individual think that it will never happen and they replace protection with trust.
“We tend to forget that we came alone on earth and God never devoted another human being to stand as a shield over our lives.
“If we don’t use protection, we stand at a risk of being infected and once you’re tested positive, there’s no back,” said Khaoue.
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The official theme for this year is “Equalise and Integrate to End AIDS. This theme is a wake-up call to deal with the inequalities that make it harder for the country to eradicate AIDS.
These inequalities include poverty, exclusion, and inadequate access to services, particularly for vulnerable populations such as transgender people and sex workers.
Sister Ntokazi from Ennerdale clinic advised people who are HIV negative to take the PREP treatment which will prevent them from getting HIV whether from unprotected sex with an infected or from being sexually violated.
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“PREP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex. If you are sexually active and like to party late and has a partner who is positive, it is important to take the prep treatment. It also allows you to be emotionally supportive to your partner,” said sister Ntokazi.
Khaoue concluded by saying that, “People still fear to disclose their status because of rejection and the pity treatment they receive from their partners. It is time we treat each other equally become our sister’s and brother’s keeper.”
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