‘Men in action’ for World Aids Day
This year, the St Francis Care Centre commemorated World Aids Day with two events.
Firstly, a World Aids Day Campaign was held in Ramaphosa on November 27. The main theme was ‘Men in Action’.
“Due to the very low numbers of males in the HCT (HIV Counselling and Testing) statistics in our district, we thought it would be more appropriate to target men and young boys in this campaign,” said St Francis centre manager, Tilly Brouwer.
The services that were offered to men included HCT, MMC (Medical Male Circumcision), drug and alcohol abuse, health education, TB screening, STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections) screening, and blood pressure and glucose testing.
Vulnerable children and orphans were also present at the campaign.
Secondly, on World Aids Day, December 1, the centre held a memorial service for all those who are living with HIV/Aids, as well as those who have died of the disease.
Like last year, the theme was ”Getting to zero”.
Former St Francis patient Mpho Mohibidu (36) was the guest speaker, motivating listeners, specifically HIV/Aids infected patients, to love themselves.
He told the crowd that he was on his deathbed when he arrived at the St Francis Care Centre, but that the centre turned out to be the place where he learned to love himself again.
One day he decided that he should take control and live a healthy life. He eventually started with his treatment again and today he is healthier.
He said that HIV/Aids patients should control the virus by taking their medication as prescribed, and not let the virus control them.
It was also a Day of Wellness, which gave people the opportunity to be tested for diabetes, HIV/Aids, and hypertension, among other conditions.
“We educated them on how to protect themselves from infection, while we also motivated them to have themselves tested and to get treatment,” said Brouwer
“We were happy with the turnout, as a number of people were tested.”
St Francis Care Centre was also invited by companies to address their staff members on life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses, and they also had the opportunity to test themselves.
