21 Oct 2013

The people of Kgalagadi South have been encouraged to undergo regular HIV tests so that they know their HIV/AIDS status and strive towards behavioural change.

Addressing residents during a kgotla meeting in Kisa recently, Kgalagadi South MP, Mr John Toto appealed to his electorates to test regularly for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections so that they could be diagnosed and treated at health facilities.

Mr Toto expressed concern at the escalating prevalence of HIV in the area, which he said was at 19.6 per cent against the country’s 17.6 per cent prevalence rate. He particularly challenged men to test in large numbers, urging them to desist from using their partners’ results to decide whether or not to test.

Mr Toto said there was need to remove stigma and discrimination so that people could be encouraged to test regularly. “We must dispel the myth that sex is the only channel through which one can get HIV. We must get rid of stigma because anyone can get infected,” he said.

However, Mr Toto urged residents to avoid activities and behaviour that may led to them getting infected by HIV, saying anti-retroviral drugs were expensive. He also urged those who were infected to get tested so that they could take their ARV treatment freely and get access to other health services.

Mr Toto said it was sad that there were still people who preferred to die from HIV/AIDS when treatment was available, adding that their deaths were a blow to their dependents and society. He further encouraged relatives to take care of orphaned and underprivileged children and protect them from being enticed by older men who in turn infect them with HIV. He also encouraged eligible men to get circumcised and continue using condoms. ENDS