Local organisation spreads awareness of social ills
NKA is urging residents to be part of the event that will be sharing information on various reduction methods, awareness and free HIV testing and TB screening as well as knowledge on PREP and PEP.
NKA Soweto recently hosted their engagement on social issues as a plenary for their upcoming awareness event that will be taking place in Diepkloof Hostel on October 30.
The dialogue that was held in Diepkloof Hall saw members of various organisations and foundations working towards the objective of reducing the stigma and discrimination attached to HIV, STIs, TB, GBV as well as substance abuse in the area.
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According to Tshepo Lechuti of NKA, the purpose of the day was to gather various stakeholders who will be part of the event and extend the invite to community members to join them and tackle these social issues that they experience daily.
He added that they are targeting adolescent girls, drug users, sex workers, people living with disabilities, migrant populations and other vulnerable groups as identified in the National Strategic Plan.
“We are focusing on these key areas because there is still a lot of stigma attached to them.
“We, therefore, want to assist those affected especially by substance abuse to stop using these drugs, including those who are not ready to quit as yet, so that they do not end up being infected by HIV due to their risky behaviour,” Lechuti said.
“We are also aiming at motivating and reinstalling the confidence in people living with HIV so that they can adhere to their medication and those who do not know their status to get tested and start treatment immediately.”
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NKA is urging residents to be part of the event that will be sharing information on various reduction methods, awareness and free HIV testing and TB screening as well as knowledge on PREP and PEP.
Some of the stakeholders that will join the event include NACOSA, Anova Health Institute, Community Policing Forum as well as Narcotics Anonymous.
“We are still working to get other stakeholders to join us. Most importantly, we are pleading with residents to join us so that they can get to know their status and, most importantly, get information.”
