Joburg continues the fight against HIV-AIDS

28 November 2016

 

Men must play a leading role in the fight against the HIV-AIDS pandemic, speakers said at the launch of Score4Life at Alex Plaza in the City of Johannesburg’s Region E on Friday November 25.

 

Score4Life is an initiative that targets men above the age of 21 and encourages them to regularly test for HIV-AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The initiative is part of the build-up to World AIDS Day, which is commemorated globally on December 1.
Both the City of Johannesburg’s Health and Social Development Department and the Gauteng Department of Health have embarked on a series of health awareness activities ahead of the day. The launch of Score4Life was one of the initiatives.

According to the Gauteng Department of Health, 6 000 men have been tested for HIV since July this year. Of these, 310 tested HIV-positive.

Mugeru Morewane, the department’s Chief Director, said men were beginning to take responsibility for their lives. 
“It is good when men take the lead. The reason we chose Alex is because we wanted to focus on a high-density area. Today we are celebrating the success of our pilot project.

“By partnering with USAID we have seen life expectancy improve because of these interventions. This is a modest achievement but we are positive that the message will sink in with programmes such as Score4Life,” said Morewane.

Various speakers said the idea behind Score4Life was to reach out to men who did not test regularly. Once these men become aware of their status, they can improve their quality of life.

USAID South Africa Chairperson Rebecca Kvzywda said the organisation would continue funding such projects.
“I am excited to see all these men here. HIV-AIDS remains the priority of the US government. It is important that men know their status.

“Such a campaign supports the government of South Africa’s initiative to reduce this epidemic among men. Lessons that will be learned from Score4Life will be spread throughout the country. We look forward to this partnership. I applaud the Score 4Life campaign,” said Kvzywda.

World Aids Day on Thursday December 1 will be held under the theme: “It is in our hands to end HIV and TB.”
The City and its various stakeholders have trained hundreds of volunteers to reach out to marginalised groups, in particular, in a drive to heighten the campaign against HIV-AIDS.