The City of Cape Town co-hosted an open day to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS on Friday, 4 September 2009 at the Mitchell’s Plain Town Centre.

The event, which was the output of a non-funded partnership between the City’s Urban Renewal Programme, the Non Medical Site (YMCA), the Department of Social Development (Provincial and Local government), and City Health and the Substance Abuse Matrix Centre, and (TB/HIV/AIDS Care) aimed to improve understanding of how TB and substance abuse is linked to HIV/AIDS transmission. Many drug addicts share needles and unwittingly pass on the HI Virus. HIV develops to full blown AIDS if not managed, which causes the breakdown of the immune system, making carriers more prone to illnesses such as TB.

 A number of organisations that receive funding from the Department of Social Development (provincial and local government) exhibited relevant literature, did pamphleteering, and provided details about the programmes they offer. These included TB/HIV Care, the Cape Flats YMCA, Yabonga, Arisen Women, Sultan Bahu, TUAP, Philinati, the Matrix Substance Abuse Centre, the provincial and local Social Development Departments, CoCT - Sport and Recreation, Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre (CTDCC), Safeline and Elonwabeni Children’s Place of Safety.

The programme for the day included the welcome address by the Sub Council chairperson, Councillor Natalie Bent, who indicated that 1 in 5 people are infected by HIV. She also mentioned that poverty, social instability and lack of government action badly affected the spread of the disease. “Everyone is affected – even if you are not infected – one way or the other”.

Letitia Bosch, Substance Abuse Coordinator for the City talked about the substance abuse initiatives of the City Of Cape Town and the link between substance abuse and HIV. In her address to the crowd she talked about the fact that sexual activity often takes place under the influence of substances and thus the risk of HIV infection is increased. The VCT testing centres by the City Of Cape Town for HIV was highlighted as well as the toll free 0800 helpline. When people don’t know where to go they can call 0800 HELP 4U (4357 4 8), a 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Helpline.

Belinda Kube from YMCA invited the audience to participate in the talk about HIV/AIDS. The audience knowledge was tested regarding what HIV is, if there is a cure, and what can be done to prevent it.

Zulfa Smith area coordinator, from HIV/AIDS/TB Care spoke about TB. The signs and symptoms of TB were highlighted (a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss); the testing; and that as soon as you start taking medication you are cannot transmit the bacteria to another person.

Heinz Park Primary and Cascade Primary schools entertained the crowd with songs and dancing. Sultan Bahu, rendered a play in which the denial and family support for someone who is using drugs were dramatized.

The Non Medical Site did free HIV counselling and testing where 97 people were tested on the day. Eight hundred red HIV awareness ribbons were distributed, which means that at least 800 people were given some information on HIV/AIDS on the day.

Councillor Dennis Williams concluded the event with a vote of thanks to all the participating organisations and public that attended the event.



2009/09/04