Aids education still a priority at St Francis
St Francis Care Centre is a registered NPO which caters to vulnerable children and adults, most suffering from life-threatening conditions.
In light of World Aids Day, annually celebrated on December 1, the St Francis Care Centre encouraged community members to be educated about HIV/Aids.
This year the day will be commemorated under the theme End Inequalities, End Aids.
Residential social worker Cebile Maseko said it is important for people to be informed about HIV/Aids, and St Francis is doing its best to educate community members.
“People must know their status and we encourage them to get tested for HIV/Aids. Early detection is important.
“We have several mobile clinics in different locations in the community where people can get tested for the virus. Additionally, people are welcome to visit the centre, situated on 30 Olivia Road, to get tested.”
Maseko said it is also important to empower people with knowledge.
“Most of the new infections are young girls from underprivileged communities. Most people are also now focused on getting tested for Covid-19 and forget about their HIV status.”
St Francis Care Centre will also host an event on December 1 to commemorate World Aids Day from 10:00 to 12:30, where several stakeholders will address the topic.
St Francis matron Minnie Dlamini gave a few facts about HIV/Aids:
• There is no cure for HIV. Only antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) can control HIV. If people take their medication, they can lead a normal life.
• HIV can’t be transmitted through touching. It can be transmitted via the exchange of a variety of body fluids from infected people, such as blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal secretions.
• It’s also not true that showering after sex can prevent you from getting the virus. Only the use of a condom can prevent you from getting the virus.
• Undetectable doesn’t mean untransmittable.
Statistics
Dlamini said there is progress.
“With the support of the Department of Health, work is being done to achieve the 90-90-90 strategy. This is a target to help end the Aids pandemic.
“By 2020, 90% of all people with HIV will know their HIV status, by 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy, and by 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
“In 2020, 84% of people with HIV knew their status, 87% of these people were accessing treatment and among people accessing treatment, 90% were virally suppressed.”
Also Read: Boksburg Correctional Services commemorates the World Aids Day
Also Read; St Francis celebrates World Aids Day
