Bloemfontein
29 November 2006
Testing for HIV and AIDS will be done on Wednesday, 29 November 2006, at the
taxi holding area, in Harvey Road in Bloemfontein. Those willing to be tested,
will receive confidential counselling and will be tested free of charge in the
privacy of one of the tents. Although this event targets mainly taxi drivers,
anybody else can go there for testing also.
The testing event is an illustration of the role which the Department of
Health's partners play in the fight against HIV and AIDS:
* Men in Partnership Against AIDS (MIPAA)
* the Provincial Taxi Council which is the mother body of all taxi associations
in the Free State (The Taxi Association of Motheo District will release their
members to go for testing)
* New Start, etc.
Men have to be seen at the forefront of this fight in trying to remove the
stigma of the community regarding men as perpetrators only, instead of caring
protectors of women and children.
Voluntary Confidential Counselling and Testing (VCCT) is one of the key
programmes in the strategy to reduce the burden of HIV and AIDS.
The testing event is part of the awareness campaign in preparation for World
AIDS Day, which will be celebrated on 1 December 2006, at Tswaraganang Stadium
in Dealesville.
The MEC for Health, Mr Sakhiwo Belot, calls on all men and women to go for
confidential counselling and testing for HIV and AIDS, which is available free
of charge at all clinics.
Enquiries:
Gela Naude
Tel: (051) 408 1278
Fax: (051) 408 1055
Cell 082 381 9483
E-mail naudeg@fshealth.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health, Free State Provincial Government
29 November 2006
