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ZIWAPHI • VOL 4 NO 9 • 7 - 13 May 2010

STANDERTON

Just weeks after the country’s president, Jacob Zuma and his cabinet publicly tested for HIV and AIDS, the Mpumalanga cabinet led by Premier David Mabuza also took a bold step and publicly got tested.

This comes after the National Minister of Health, Aaron Motsoaledi’s call to intensify the government’s fight against the HIV and AIDS.

And in response, the Mpumalanga government and the department of Health and Social Services officially launched the provincial HIV Counselling and Testing Campaign at Standerton last week.

Premier David Mabuza said government takes the HIV and AIDS issue very seriously and would ensure that all necessary measures are taken to help fight the disease.

“Government is very serious about fighting this killer disease but it requires us all to join hands and work together,” he said.

“We have done a lot of talking which led us to nowhere, what we need is action and as government we have taken a stand to fight HIV and AIDS and we dare shall not fail.”

The MEC for Health and Social Services, Dikeledi Mahlangu believes that this campaign will help conscientize the communities about the reality of HIV and AIDS.

“The aim of this campaign is to create awareness and also educate people more about HIV and Aids, because once you have tested and know your status, one would know how to lead their lives going forward,” explained Mahlangu.

She said that her department will tirelessy work around the clock promoting Volunteer Counselling and Testing (VCT) so that people may know their status and then take proper actions.       

During the VCT launch, MECs, government officials and local people took turns queuing to be tested.

The regional Community Health Advocate Co-ordinator, Sechaba Moloi confirmed that more than 200 people got tested during the launch in Standerton.