AIDS officials stress on voluntary testing

By YVONNE HAIP
PEOPLE engaged in risky sexual activities during the election should attend voluntary testing at their local counselling and testing sites, an official says.
Western Highlands Provincial AIDS Council technical officer Apollos Yimbak said the epidemic was real in the country and people had to take precautions.
He said research had shown the spread of HIV was prevalent during election periods as some people became involved in risky behaviour, especially in areas where there were campaign camps and houses.
He urged people involved in unprotected sex during the election to visit their nearest sites for counselling and testing.
Yimbak said the duplication of HIV testing and results affected statistics.
“Some people were tested in more than one VCT site, increasing the numbers recorded,” he said.
“That affected the council’s planning and monitoring system.”
He urged those going for voluntary tests to visit only one site.