SPONSORED | Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine and Limpopo Department of Health unite to commemorate World Aids Day

Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine (DCM), in partnership with the Limpopo Department of Health’s Maseven Clinic, hosted another successful World Aids Day commemoration at Maseven Village’s Tigers Sports Grounds on December 19.

World Aids Day is commemorated on December 1 every year. This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the Aids pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection, to remember those who have died of the disease, and to show solidarity with millions of people living with the virus worldwide.

The event was administered under the theme, ‘Bring them back to care, together we can’, which held the significant meaning of encouraging people to go back to taking their prescribed HIV and TB medication free of charge from local clinics.

“Local clinics are open for the sole purpose of providing good healthcare service to our communities, and it is important for our people to take advantage of such to benefit their well-being,” said a nurse, Mahlako Mokabane.

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The cause was well commemorated by means of several activities blending together with the purpose of the day.

HIV/Aids and TB testing stations were open to everyone to test and find out their statuses. An HIV/Aids educational drama was performed by the Maseven Clinic’s staff members, which displayed different approaches and reactions to the stigma of HIV/Aids.

The play was a clear demonstration that taking the right medication promotes a long healthy life, yet at the same time promotes the theme of the event.

Some people tend be in disbelief of their status outcome and even go as far as consulting and seeking help from sangomas instead of following the right medical channels to deal with their health problems, which in turn put their lives as risk,” warned the health practitioners.

Speaking on behalf of the DCM was Remember Mmbengwa, the Sustainable Development Manager, who spoke on how community health issues are at the heart of the company. “Working together with the health department is one of our mandates to make sure that our communities are receiving the right health education and quality services,” he said. “Over the years, there has been a lot of advancement when it comes to HIV/Aids awareness and medication, but these disregard putting the same focus and encouragement on other health-related diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, etc. DCM would like to encourage testing and taking the right steps towards looking after our overall health.”

The Limpopo health department’s representative, Ivy Sisonke, thanked the DCM for successfully partnering with them and sponsoring the event. She also thanked the mine for the donation of gazebos to the clinic. Sisonke further extended her gratitude to the Maseven local community for attending the event in large numbers.

On the day, all tested community members were rewarded with a cap, a water bottle, an Aids Day ribbon and some lunch.