NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The District Aids Control Commission (CDLS) has announced plans to increase HIV testing centres as part of this year’s World Aids Day that falls on December 1.

This was revealed on Thursday at a one-day meeting convened to prepare for the district event. 

The annual event is when nations globally raise awareness on the dangers of HIV/Aids.

In attendance were the in-charge of Sector social affairs, health centers representatives and representatives of NGOs charged with supporting health initiatives in the district including IntraHealth, World Vision and Save the Children.

Addressing participants at the seminar, the district assistant technical coordinator of CDLS, Evariste Kimenyi, said the theme of this year’s World Aids Day is "Test family members in every homestead for HIV/AIDS.”

"You should sensitise residents to turn up in big numbers for the HIV/AIDS tests,” said Kimenyi.

Kimenyi said they have launched a mass sensitisation campaign that runs from October 30 to December 17 2008, and called upon participants to remind residents to restrain from conduct that exposes them to the Aids virus.

"People should observe the rules of sticking to one married partner, abstinence and the use of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS,” added Kimenyi.

The District Health Coordinator, Thaddee Kibamba said the number of AIDS testing centres would be increased to test all families in the district during this year’s Aids campaign. 

"Besides carrying out blood tests for the AIDS virus, CDLS in collaboration with partners in health shall also provide counseling services to those people already infected by the virus,” said Kibamba.

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