Residents learn about HIV and Aids
Residents of Charl Cilliers spent almost a day learning about HIV and Aids and other issues related to it, such as gender base violence and male medical circumcision.
CHARL CILLIERS – The Gert Sibande District, the Govan Mbeki Municipality and the Department of Health held an HIV and Aids awareness campaign on Tuesday, 22 September.
It was one of many across the district.
Mr Thulani Ndlovu, senior manager of the HIV/Aids programme, said it was also part of the municipal strategic plan and educational efforts and prevention programmes to prevent the spread of HIV in townships.
He said the district, whose key economic activities include mining, agriculture and forestry, is characterised by high levels of seasonal and migrant workers and has been classified as a district with the highest HIV prevalence in South Africa.
He said the existence of the national N17 highway and other roads connecting the Gert Sibande District with other districts and provinces, create an opportunity for commercial sex work between unemployed women and long distance truck drivers.
“This could also be the reason for the high HIV prevalence in the district.
“When the Mpumalanga Provincial Aids Council was launched in 2012, they identified the following priorities to be implemented between 2012 and 2016:
* Increase HIV awareness throughout all sectors, especially high risk populations such as the youth and farm workers.
* Intensify case finding and follow up through screening for HIV and Aids, STIs and TB.
* Maintenance and sustenance of health and wellness of all citizens.
* Use combination prevention strategies to maximise HIV prevention.
* Promote the core values of the Constitution to mitigate stigma discrimination and related behaviours.
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