News / Local
Mass HIV testing for Zanu-PF
21 Nov 2011 at 04:44hrs | Views
ZANU PF will set the tone in the fight against HIV/AIDS during the upcoming 12th Annual National People's Conference in Bulawayo following revelations that there is going to be voluntary mass HIV testing and counseling for delegates at the United Bulawayo Hospitals.
Zanu PF will hold a five day national conference from 6 to 10 December in Bulawayo. The mass HIV testing for prominent and senior party officials will however be a voluntary exercise and already more than 50 professional testers and counselors have been enlisted for the exercise. Testing will take place a few days after the World AIDS day which is commemorated every year on 1 December.
Sources at UBH said Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial health department has enlisted the services of counselors from the health institution.
"They wanted at least 100 professional counselors and testers but the hospital could only avail at most 50. The counselors are set to counsel and test Zanu PF members who are expected to come voluntarily during the conference," said a source who preferred anonymity.
Zanu PF provincial secretary for Health Tirinani Mafuwa confirmed that the exercise was on but said they had enlisted the services of an NGO for the testing and counseling.
"As a province we have organised voluntary HIV testing for members of our party who are going to attend the December conference. Testing will run concurrently with our conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds and our intention is to de-stigmatise the scourge and encourage people to know their status," Mafuwa said.
More than 6000 delegates are expected to attend the national people's conference. Mafuwa also said testing would be voluntary but they are hoping to test everyone at all levels of the society within the party. He added that those willing should also disclose their status so that people will learn that HIV is not sacred.
During an HIV/Aids conference in September, President Robert G Mugabe told the gathering that he has witnessed unnamed government officials knows to be on HIV drugs 'running from one woman to the other'.
"I know of cases of men, who even though they are taking ARVs are running from one woman to the other. These are not men i know because of my extended family, but because of my being Head of Government. It's shameful to witness. But let's keep preaching the gospel against HIV Infections in children, kepping mother alive," President Mugabe told the conference.
Zanu PF will hold a five day national conference from 6 to 10 December in Bulawayo. The mass HIV testing for prominent and senior party officials will however be a voluntary exercise and already more than 50 professional testers and counselors have been enlisted for the exercise. Testing will take place a few days after the World AIDS day which is commemorated every year on 1 December.
Sources at UBH said Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial health department has enlisted the services of counselors from the health institution.
"They wanted at least 100 professional counselors and testers but the hospital could only avail at most 50. The counselors are set to counsel and test Zanu PF members who are expected to come voluntarily during the conference," said a source who preferred anonymity.
"As a province we have organised voluntary HIV testing for members of our party who are going to attend the December conference. Testing will run concurrently with our conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds and our intention is to de-stigmatise the scourge and encourage people to know their status," Mafuwa said.
More than 6000 delegates are expected to attend the national people's conference. Mafuwa also said testing would be voluntary but they are hoping to test everyone at all levels of the society within the party. He added that those willing should also disclose their status so that people will learn that HIV is not sacred.
During an HIV/Aids conference in September, President Robert G Mugabe told the gathering that he has witnessed unnamed government officials knows to be on HIV drugs 'running from one woman to the other'.
"I know of cases of men, who even though they are taking ARVs are running from one woman to the other. These are not men i know because of my extended family, but because of my being Head of Government. It's shameful to witness. But let's keep preaching the gospel against HIV Infections in children, kepping mother alive," President Mugabe told the conference.
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