CNLS encourages voluntary HIV testing

As the world today commemorates International AIDS Day, the National AIDS Control Commission (C.N.LS) has announced that HIV testing for all will be a top government priority. Dr. Anita Asiimwe, the Executive Secretary of CNLS said it was up to every individual to fight against HIV and to integrate that fight in daily programmes and activities. “This year we are particularly encouraging all people especially couples to go for HIV testing and counseling,” she told The New Times by telephone yesterday. Asiimwe explained that Rwanda’s fight against HIV has shifted emphasis from celebrating a one day event to an ongoing one year national campaign. “We advocate for different activities throughout and this year’s drive started on November 1, 2008 and runs until end of October next year,” she explained. Meanwhile, Doctor Edgar Kalimba of King Faisal hospital says health workers need to champion the same precautionary measures regardless of what the results of the HIV tests are. He however added that it should not be mandatory for employees to disclose their status to their employers stating that it should only be disclosed when employees are hindered from performing their duties. “Compulsory HIV testing depends on the confidentiality by the authorities and the purpose of how it is being used for,” Dr Kalimba said in a telephone interview. Public speak out Some people who talked to The New Times think that the reason AIDS is still a major threat in Africa and elsewhere is because people are becoming bolder under the assumption that there is a cure for the disease. “People are becoming careless and no longer fear contracting the deadly disease because of the availability of anti-retroviral drugs. There is need to sensitise the masses that the disease is still a threat,” said Francis Musafiri, the Principal,Nyakayaga Secondary School. Others are of the view that there is still lack of access to the treatment of HIV and AIDS and that the biggest percentage cannot afford the drugs leading to an increased number of deaths. “The anti-retrovirals are very expensive for some low income earners and some also fail to access the drug because of its unavailability in some hospitals. There should be an increased supply to meet the demand,” said Vincent Kimathi, a Kenyan national working in Rwanda. Again some noted that people still have that fear of being identified as victims of the disease with many refraining from testing and counselling which makes it hard to know their status. “People should be encouraged at their places of work and in different institutions to go and test for HIV and AIDS. It helps to know one’s sero-status making it easy to start early treatment,” said Justin Mahoro who is currently on anti-retrovirals According to a 2007 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), currently 33 million people are infected with the HIV virus while in 2007, 2.1 million people died of the disease. World AIDS Day was first celebrated in 1988 when health ministers from around the world met and agreed on the concept as an opportunity for the world to come together to demonstrate the importance of AIDS and show solidarity for the cause. Ends