6% of Moyo people test for HIV

May 06, 2008

ONLY 6% of the people in Moyo district know their HIV status, according to a health official. The district AIDS focal person, Dr. Franklin Iddi, said out 270,000 people, only 16,200 had tested for the AIDS virus since the voluntary counselling and testing services were launched in the ar

By Dradenya Amazia

ONLY 6% of the people in Moyo district know their HIV status, according to a health official. The district AIDS focal person, Dr. Franklin Iddi, said out 270,000 people, only 16,200 had tested for the AIDS virus since the voluntary counselling and testing services were launched in the area in September 2006.

During an AIDS forum at the district headquarters yesterday, Iddi said although the exercise was free, many people had shunned the exercise for fear of stigmatisation.

“The anti-retroviral therapy clinic is located in the corridor of the hospital. That is why many people may not be willing to go for the tests.

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