Biggest HIV/Aids campaign to date

CAPTION: Ward councillorVuyelwaMatodlana (left) and the Ethembeni Community Home-based Carers at the HIV/Aids awareness programme that was held at Weston last week.

Biggest HIV/Aids campaign to date

MORE than 1000 people have been reached over the past two weeks by one of the biggest HIV/Aids awareness campaigns in Kouga to date.

Organised by the Local HIV/Aids Council of Kouga Municipality, the awareness campaign was the focal point of local World Aids Day activities. World Aids Day is marked annually on December 1.

Kouga Executive Mayor Booi Koerat said that the municipality had been able to reach more residents than ever before by hosting several small ward-based programmes instead of just one big central event.

“Knowledge is power. The more people who know how to prevent and manage the disease, the better our chances of building healthy and strong communities,” he said.

This year’s campaign explored the link between HIV/Aids and tuberculosis (TB).

“People who are HIV positive are at high risk of contracting TB. If you do contract TB, it is important to seek medical help as quickly as possible. The sooner you do so, the better your chances of recovery,” he explained.

The campaign further stressed the importance of getting tested and knowing one’s HIV status.

“Even though there isn’t a cure yet, people who are HIV positive can live normal, healthy lives. There are many dedicated healthcare professionals who will advise you on the lifestyle and nutritional changes you can make to help strengthen your immune system,” he said.

He thanked government departments such as Health, Social Development and Home Affairs for participating in the awareness campaign.

“It’s good to have a united front. HIV/Aids can be beaten and by standing together, we increase our chances of success,” he said.