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11 million copies of educational HIV and AIDS Treatment booklets distributed
Department of Health Press Release. June 2004. Republished courtesy of the Department of Health.
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11 million copies of the ?“HIV and AIDS and Treatment?” booklet are being distributed nationally, as part of the Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment Plan. This is probably the largest public health education drive of its kind.
The 49-page booklet is printed in all of the 11 official South African languages and contains detailed information on how HIV is transmitted and how it can be prevented; knowing your HIV status; and what is anti-retroviral treatment (ART) and when and how it should be taken by people living with AIDS and the holistic management of HIV and AIDS; as the disease progresses.
The booklet is a component of the communications aspect of the Comprehensive Plan, which strives to educate all South Africans, whether they are HIV positive or not, about various aspects of HIV and AIDS ?– including treatment.
The current booklet, which is directed at the public, is produced by the government?’s Khomanani Caring Together HIV and AIDS campaign and the Soul City Institute with funding from CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta).
Thami Skenjana, Director of the Government AIDS Action Plan and Khomanani spokesperson said that one of Khomanani?’s objectives is to mobilise individuals through education: ?“Our upmost priority is to mobilise all South Africans to know our HIV status by going for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). This enables us to manage our health ?– whether or not we are infected with HIV.?”
?“Prevention messages still remain the foundation of all HIV and AIDS communications, as the overwhelming majority of South Africans are not infected with HIV. In this context, anti-retroviral treatment (ART) is a part of the holistic patient health management programme for those who are living with HIV and AIDS,?” said Skenjana.
John Molefe from Soul City Institute and Distribution manager of the ?“HIV and AIDS and Treatment?” booklet says that the publication is being distributed door-to-door throughout the country, through Soul City Distribution centre, the Khomanani Red Ribbon Resource Centre and GCIS (Government Communication and Information Systems), BP service stations, Old Mutual offices, Public Health Facilities as well as through other partners.
?“We want to achieve maximum reach across the entire country ?– in rural, peri-urban and urban areas ?– and hope to distribute 10.6 million copies nationally by the end of June,?” said Molefe.
The Department of Health is currently in the process of rolling out the Comprehensive Plan. Currently, 31 accredited sites around the country are beginning the provision of ART. All government clinics and hospitals will play an important role in implementing and supporting the Comprehensive Plan. Some facilities will be directly involved in administering ART, while others will assist them by providing information to patients and referring them for treatment, where appropiate.
?“The HIV and AIDS and Treatment booklet is a useful information tool and will support health workers in creating awareness and building knowledge about HIV and AIDS care and treatment,?“ concluded Skenjana. For additional information on HIV and AIDS, and the Comprehensive Plan, public can call the 24-hour confidential AIDS Helpline on 0800 012 322 or inquire at their local public health facility. Copies of the ?“HIV and AIDS and Treatment?” booklet are available from the Khomanani Red Ribbon Resource Centre on (011) 880-0405. |
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