Ceremony to remember those who have passed

PREVENTION is better than cure, be wise, get tested, get circumcised and condomise.

This was the advice of Rudzani Tshikovhi, CEO of Hayani Hospital outside Thohoyandou, during the hospital’s candle lighting ceremony last Wednesday.

Tshikovhi said the hospital held the candle lighting ceremony annually to remember those who have died from HIV/aids and related diseases.

“The candle lighting ceremony marks milestones which were achieved in previous years.

“This year’s theme was: ‘Zero New Infection Towards HIV/aids, Zero Transmission and Zero Death’.

“This day still aims to raise awareness regarding the prevalence and prevention of HIV/aids among hospital staff and in the community,” said Tshikovhi.

He said the candle lighting ceremony was a way of introducing new strategies.

He said the hospital planned to deliver ARVs to patients at their homes or wherever they wanted their medication delivered.

One of the HIV/aids ambassadors, who did not wish to be named, said she has been living with the disease for nine years.

“I tested positive in 2005 and started using the medication as directed by the nurses. The ARVs are working and I urge people to get tested,” she said.