Dr Abdurahman CHC encourages HIV testing and treatment on World AIDS Day

In commemoration of World AIDS Day on December 1, the Dr Abdurahman Community Health Centre hosted an awareness event to encourage community members to get tested for HIV/AIDS and adhere to treatment.

The day served as a reminder that with the right care and consistent medication, people living with HIV/AIDS can lead long, healthy, and productive lives.

Facility manager Sister Lulama Hlomela urged residents to take responsibility for their health by following medical advice and adhering to treatment plans. She said the event was also held in remembrance of those who lost their lives to HIV-related illnesses.

“We want to stop HIV and AIDS in its tracks before it costs more lives. We are also teaching people about the importance of taking their medication correctly and on time,” Sister Hlomela said.

She praised the Athlone community for showing commitment to improving their health.

“We have observed significant improvements in treatment adherence. Our community has listened to the nurses. We now have 12 stable adherence clubs where people support and encourage one another. They give each other hope, and we work closely with them. We also urge patients to honour their clinic appointment dates,” she added.

Sister Hlomela said the clinic has consistently been at the forefront of the fight against HIV and AIDS, with staff members working tirelessly to reduce new infections and support patients on treatment.

Community members who attended the event received small gifts in appreciation of their participation. The clinic’s social worker, Yvonne Foster, highlighted the impact of social challenges on treatment adherence, warning that poverty, unemployment, and unstable living conditions often prevent people from prioritising their health.

“Today is not just about celebrating World AIDS Day. It is about encouraging people to live healthier lifestyles and reminding them that their lives matter,” Ms Foster said. “There are those who fall through the cracks because of social ills, poverty, and lack of employment. We are encouraging them to come forward and get help. Our team is accessible, and we conduct home visits to ensure that patients remain on treatment.”

She added that substance abuse also affects some patients’ ability to adhere to medication, but stressed that HIV is manageable. “HIV is not a death sentence. People can live long lives as long as they remain adherent to their treatment,” she said.

The Salvation Army Care Haven has also partnered with the clinic.

The organisation’s major, Magdelina Mugama, expressed concern over the high rate of HIV infections among young girls between the ages of 12 and 15.

“We have observed a worrying trend of very young people contracting the disease. What is painful is the silence around it. People are not talking to young people about HIV and AIDS,” she said. “These are our children. We need to talk to them. We need to support them. This is not the time to keep quiet.”

Major Mugama also encouraged community members to get tested and urged those who test positive to start treatment immediately. She warned that defaulting on medication can have fatal consequences. “People must understand that if they stop treatment, they put their lives at risk and may not live to see their children grow up,” she said.