23 Nov 2015

More than 179 residents of Nokaneng in the Ngamiland District tested for HIV during the testing campaign which took place from November 9 to 19.

Speaking in an interview after the completion of the campaign, district AIDS coordinator in Gumare, Mr Morongwa Dikgang said 109 men and 70 women tested for the HIV virus since the campaign started.

“The idea to start-up this campaign was to encourage residents, especially young people to test for HIV,” he said.

He said they realised that young people were reluctant to test for HIV hence it was important to conduct the campaign to encourage them to come in large numbers. Mr Dikgang further said they used constituency sporting clubs to mobilise the general public to test.

He noted that sporting teams voluntarily tested before they played. The campaign featured the likes of City bucks, Nokaneng United, Young Fighters and others.

Nokaneng clinic assistant nurse matron,  Ms Galetswesepe Ngande explained to residents that being HIV positive was not the end of the world, but rather the beginning of a new chapter in ones’ life. She said exercises, correct nutrition and positive thinking were the key factors to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Ends