Meeting in Standerton spotlights HIV/Aids, TB, GBVF work locally

The District Aids Council (DAC), led by the Gert Sibande District Municipality, held a meeting at the main municipal building on March 26.

According to Lubabalo Majenge, the communications officer for the Lekwa Local Municipality, the DAC had exhausted all progress reports on work done to fight HIV/Aids and GBVF on a local level.

The DAC gathered after local municipalities convened their local Aids councils and presented reports to be considered by the DAC.

Majenge explained that the reports given were detailed and based on statistics like TB screenings done in all facilities, HIV testing, awareness campaigns in the area, psychological support provided, condom distribution and more.

“While the Mpumalanga Department of Health is the custodian of health issues, the municipalities play a significant role in ensuring co-ordination, participation and adherence by all target groups,” explained Majenge.

MMC for Special Programmes Busisiswe Mkhwanazi chaired the meeting hosted by Thabang Motloung (municipal councillor).

Mayor Sifiso Mngemezulu was absent because he attended the premier’s co-ordinating meeting in Mbombela (Nelspruit).

Busisiswe Sekhonde, the Speaker of the council for the Gert Sibande District Municipality, was joined by full-time members in an awareness programme in the community of Ext 6.

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