Mossel Bay to fight Aids

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay on Monday 1 December joined the world in a World Aids Day commemoration.

1 December each year is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World Aids Day was the first ever global health day, the first of which was held in 1988. This year's theme was 'Focus, Partner, Achieve: An Aids-free Generation'.

The Mossel Bay Municipal Manager, Dr Michele Gratz, keynote speaker at the World Aids Day commemoration, said the main reasons Aids continue to spread are lack of knowledge about the illness and the stigma associated with the illness.

"The more knowledge you have, the more chance you have of protecting yourself from being infected with HIV. If people with HIV are diagnosed early and respond to treatment, they can be healthy, work and have relationships like anyone else and have a long life expectancy."

Fear rejection
But why are people nervous or reluctant to be tested for HIV and why do they not want to go for treatment?
"People living with the HIV virus find it difficult to disclose their status, because they are afraid of being rejected or that they will be judged by their friends, family and colleagues. People living with HIV often experience discrimination in the workplace, by the community, by the media and even by family and friends.
"Some people lose their jobs, as employers are ignorant about the disease. Some are rejected by their family, who feel ashamed about their relative who is HIV positive," Dr Gratz added.
Answer YES!

"People who judge those with HIV often do so as a result of ignorance or out of fear that they will be infected. Would you buy food from someone who you know has HIV? Do you think someone with HIV should be allowed to teach? Would you be prepared to look after a relative who is HIV positive? The answer to all of these questions should be a definite yes, but unfortunately, this is not always so."

Change your attitude

"Everyone has the responsibility to change attitudes to HIV and encourage actions that stop its spread. We must show respect by always treating people living with HIV fairly, respecting their confidentiality and challenge prejudice wherever it occurs. It is everyone's duty to find out the facts about HIV and encourage others to do the same. HIV positive persons must respect themselves and their partners by always practicing safe sex by using a condom.

"Get HIV counselling and testing, use condoms, remain faithful to just one sexual partner and lead a healthy lifestyle. We appeal to the community to become involved in the fight against HIV/Aids. Let us respect and protect our colleagues, our friends and loved ones who may be infected with the virus. Let us fight HIV/Aids - not the people with HIV/Aids!

"We need to encourage the community and those with HIV to disclose their status and to learn the facts about this disease, so that this fear can be overcome. Coming to terms with an HIV diagnosis and getting used to treatment can be very difficult because of this stigma and people living with HIV will often need support from healthcare providers, friends and family, employers, support organisations and the community," Dr Gratz concluded.

She also alluded to the various myths that surround the HIV/Aids pandemic and urged people to ensure that they become informed in order to allay these myths and to support those in the community who have to deal with the realities of having to live with the disease.