Western Cape Government Health, in partnership with Health Systems Trust (HST), held a successful HIV Counselling and Testing(HCT) event in KwaNokuthula, Plettenberg Bay on Friday 25 July 2014. HST, through funding received from the National Lotteries Board, supports the Western Cape Department of Health’s HCT campaign that encourages people to know their HIV status. The key components of the campaign prioritise actions to prevent the transmission of HIV and the treatment and care of citizens affected. The mobilisation of communities around knowing their status was supported by engaging all public and private partners to join hands and reach set targets. Western Cape Minister of Health, Theuns Botha, commented: “Thank you to all the partners who joined resources to offer this opportunity to the people of KwaNokuthula.” The event forms part of a countrywide HCT project run by Health Systems Trust which included a radio campaign broadcast in six languages. On Friday, more than 350 people braved the icy weather conditions to visit the mobile buses from which services for chronic diseases, sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis, medical male circumcision screenings and HIV testing were rendered. The jam-packed programme included motivational speeches as well as performances by local artists. Other organisations taking part in the event included Lifeline Garden Route, THAT’S it, Bitou Municipality and Bitou Local AIDS Council.
Gertrude McCock has her blood pressure tested by Sister Annalize Danhouse.
The ‘Condoms’ were a great source of entertainment and emphasised the importance of protected sex.
People queued to be tested despite the cold weather.
Joint release by:
Western Cape Government Health
Eden Communications Officer
Nadia Ferreira
Tel: 044 803 2725
Health Systems Trust
Communications Officer
Wendy da Costa
Tel: 031 266 9090