The Jubilee Hospital Gateway Clinic hosted a Word AIDS day celebration with the community of Hammanskraal on Friday 01 December 2017.
The event was held to support those living with HIV and AIDS and those who lost their lives to the virus. It was also to promote the testing and treatment campaign.
The Gateway Clinic pleaded with members of the community to test for HIV and Aids to know their status. The facility has a universal system for testing and dispensing medication immediately after patients test positive.
Human Testing Services Councillor at the Clinic, Ms Josephine Seloadi, said pregnant mothers should test more often to prevent mother to child transmission.
“While we expect youth to test more often, our concern is that we have children as young as 14-16 years old coming for contraception and for testing,” she said.
One of the guest living with the virus for 17 years, Mr Thembi Mahlangu (51), said she has accepted her status and she is grateful for the support she receives from her family.
“I plead with those who do not know their status to test so that if they are positive they can get treatment and live longer,” said Ms Mahlangu.
Public relations officer of Thunder Bay Spur at Jubilee Mall, Mr Sihle Makama, said, “The virus affects our community negatively and it is our responsibility to support them as a business. We are also looking at creating a long-term relationship with Gateway Clinic”.
The Gateway Clinic thanked the other sponsors, Temba Taxi Association, Romans Pizza (Jubilee Mall), Blue Ribbon (Babelegi ), Otlotleng Funeral Services, SYNEXUS Research Company, Thapelo Supermarket, Tswana Milling, Dr Molefe, Dr Mosala and Dr Khumalo of Gateway Clinic for making the event possible.