In his keynote address at a workshop on Reducing AIDS Risks Within The Civil Service organised by Southern African AIDS Support Network here last week, Dr Munyaradzi Mutero said it was disturbing to note that behavioural change was slow among soldiers.
“I want to urge all the soldiers to desist from risky sexual behaviour,” said Mutero. He urged the soldiers to fight the pandemic as a team.
“Soldiers and other civil servants need to know their HIV status if they are to win the war against HIV and AIDS and live longer,” he said.
Mutero said the Zimbabwe National Army should now realize the importance of partnerships with other stakeholders in the fight against the pandemic.
“I appreciate that ZNA is very committed to the government’s national programme of fighting HIV and AIDS, which it strives to complement. It
is our conviction that together we shall win the fight.” During the workshop, Hebert Chipfumo from the ZNA testified that he was HIV positive and encouraged other soldiers to be tested.
“I would like to urge all the fellow soldiers to go and be tested. It does not mean that if one is HIV positive it is a death sentence. I received some counseling 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 still alive and kicking. Gentlemen, tikasazvibata tinopera (If we do not abstain we will all die),” he testified.
Post published in: News