St Francis commemorates World Aids Day
St Francis Care Centre is a registered NPO catering to dozens of vulnerable children and adults, most of them suffering from threatening and/or life-limiting conditions.
“Let us pull together and work even harder to realise the goals of 95-95-95 target so that South Africa be an Aids-free country by 2030.”
These are the words of St Francis Care Centre manager Tilly Brouwer as she spoke at the centre’s informative World Aids Day event held on December 3.
The 95-95-95 declaration calls on United Nations member states to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of people who know their status are receiving HIV treatment and 95% of people on treatment are virally suppressed.
St Francis organised the event to raise awareness of HIV/Aids and to emphasise the importance of testing for HIV, preventing the spread of HIV/Aids through abstinence and adherence to treatment.
This was an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the progress made in the fight against HIV under the theme ‘Take the rights path: My health, my right!’.
Brouwer said health is a human right. “Everyone should have access to health services they deserve/ including HIV prevention, treatment and care services when and where they need them.”
Brouwer further told the attendees prevention empowers and protects.
Why is Aids Day important?
Brouwer said the day serves to dispute the stigma attached to such disease.
“This day is to remember those who have died because of Aids-related diseases since the disease still kills people despite advances in treatment.
“The estimated overall prevalence is 12.7% among the SA population. The total number of people living with HIV is estimated at approximately 8.0 million in 2024,” she said.
Other speakers at the event included representatives from stakeholders including Tambo Memorial Hospital, Ekurhuleni mental health and Boksburg North SAPS.
The event ended with a candle-lighting ceremony, where each of the guests silently held a candle as they remembered those people who died of the disease.
Guests could test for HIV/Aids, high blood pressure, and diabetes and undergo tuberculosis screening.
Also Read: Message of hope on World Aids Day at St Francis
