In his keynote address at the official launch of the Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre for civil servants in Nyanga last Friday, the guest of honour Dr. David Sango, who is also the chairman of Manicaland Health Trust on HIV and AIDS, said that though knowledge levels about HIV and AIDS were very high, it was disturbing to note that behaviour change in soldiers was slow. I want to urge all the soldiers to desist from risky behaviour like casual sex and multiple partners. If you decide to do so, then at least use a condom and use it correctly, said Sango. He said there was need for the soldiers to know the disposition of their enemy in order to fight him effectively.
We therefore need to know our HIV status if we are to win the war against HIV and AIDS and live longer, he said. I understand that soldiers have been involved in several combat missions in Mozambique, Somalia, Angola and more recently in the DRC and we have prevailed. This is where most of the soldiers contacted the HIV virus that causes AIDS. There is no reason therefore for the soldiers to lose this one against HIV and AIDS. I have therefore declared total war against HIV and AIDS, he said. Speaking at the same occasion, the Director for Medical Services from Southern Africa Aids Network for Public Service (SAANPS), a local NGO operating in the area, said his organisation realized the importance of partnerships with other stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic.
We are committed to the national programme of fighting HIV and AIDS, which we strive to complement. It is our conviction that together we shall win the fight with relevant support, victory is certain, he hoped. During the launch, Herbert Dumba, testified that he was HIV positive and encouraged other people to be tested. I would like to urge all the people to be tested. It does not mean that if one is HIV positive it is a death sentence. I received some counselling and I am on antiretroviral drugs. I am looking forward to living a much longer life. Some fellow workers used to laugh at me saying I am gone, but look at me I am driving. Gentlemen, tikasazvibata tinopera, he testified.
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