Gantsi residents test in large numbers

Leinanyana Tsiane | Thursday June 19, 2014 16:28

In an interview with Mmegi this week Kristensen said residents of Gantsi are always willing to test for HIV/AIDS especially if they (Tebelopele) visit Kgotlas or wards in their bid to bring services closer to the people.

She added that they reach the 300 people per month target even though Gantsi is a small town.

She also said they even visit the farms to test farm employees but they do by appointing with the farmers.

She however said sometimes some farmers refuse to release their employees saying by so doing it halts production on their farms.

She further revealed that the number of HIV positive clients in Gantsi Township and at the farms is relatively low because the majority of people in Gantsi are faithful to their partners, do not have multiple partners.

She added that they conduct community conversation whereby they talk about health issues, they also do screening for TB, cancer and STI.  Besides these they also talk to clients about the dangers of alcohol abuse which is at an alarming rate in the area.

Besides testing in Gantsi, the center also goes out to other villages and settlements to sensitie people on the HIV virus.

She said they have embarked on visits to Charleshill to do cross border activities and have done condom demonstration, HIV testing and their target she said is the long distance truck drivers whom she said always come in big numbers to test provided they have time.

Kristensen also said they test the population that interacts with truck drivers and added that they too are always willing to test for the virus.

Regarding the age group that regularly visit the center, Kristensen said the age cuts across all groups and it varies monthly.

She noted that not all people come for HIV testing, but some come solely for counseling. She also revealed that residents of Gantsi and surrounding areas talk freely about their status and added that the stigma towards HIV positive people is not very much.