Rise, act and protect against HIV/AIDS

HIV knows no race, gender, borders, social or economic status.

Anyone can get it, no matter who or what you are.

Ballito Clinic celebrated World AIDS Day on Tuesday, December 1 at the clinic with a full programme aimed at creating awareness.

More than 3000 patients from Ballito, Shaka’s Head and Driefontein receive treatment for the disease at the Ballito Clinic every month.

Sister Margie Govender from Ballito Clinic said she expected that figure to increase with the new legislation making anti-retro viral drugs available to everyone who tested positive for HIV/AIDS, regardless of their blood count.

“It is very important to start treatment early to be able to control and manage the disease successfully,” said Govender.

The theme of this year’s world AIDS Day was “towards an HIV-free generation; rise, act and protect. Govender said they are targeting young people specifically because the number of AIDS deaths in young people has doubled.

“The moment a woman finds out she is pregnant, she must have herself tested immediately to prevent mother-to-baby transmission,” she said.

Ballito Clinic’s celebration also included creating awareness of the 16 days of activism against violence against women.

She said curbing violence against women would reduce rape and the spread of HIV.

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