Estcourt Hospital commemorates Worlds Aids Day
Information and education were the priorities at the World Aids Day events
Worlds Aids Day was commemorated in different healthcare facilities under Estcourt Hospital on December 1, 2 and 5 at the Forderville, Zwelisha and Estcourt Gateway clinics.
The Department of Health has made strides in the fight against HIV/Aids, but the reality is that there is still a long way to go.
Teenage pregnancy remains a challenge, as it is largely responsible for our growing rate of HIV and sexually-transmitted diseases.
Status disclosure of children living with HIV also remains a challenge, as primary caregivers are reluctant in fear that the child will ‘resent the disease’ and that it will negatively affect the mother-child relationship. Caregivers of children living with HIV were urged to inform healthcare professionals so they can be helped with challenges regarding disclosure.
It was explained that when status is disclosed at the right time by the primary caregiver to the child living with the virus, children will get much-needed information about the virus, which in turn will help them adhere to their treatment so they can live a long, healthy life.
Adults on HIV/Aids treatment were also encouraged to disclose their status to people they trust for support in adhering to treatment.
HIV-negative people who are at risk of contracting HIV were urged to take Pre-Exposure Prophalysis (PrEP), which is the medicine people at risk of HIV take to prevent getting HIV.
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