�Clean up� F/town targets communicable diseases
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday September 22, 2016 15:51
Setshego said the high numbers of people infected with communicable diseases showed that people do not use protection when indulging in sexual activities.
“The initiative is as a result of escalating statistics of STIs, TB and HIV in the district regardless of the many interventions done,” she said.
The campaign will target three locations, Monarch Area 1 and 8, Block 8 and Donga, which have reported high cases of STIs, TB and HIV.
“Three teams made up of 53 members will invade the three locations with STI, TB and HIV messages. The teams will undertake blood pressure check-ups, blood sugar testing and TB screening during the door-to-door campaign,” she said.
She said that HIV testing would also be done during the campaign.
DHMT head of corporate, Mavilyn Benn said the campaign intends to empower the community through information and education dissemination. “The campaign will enable the increase of contact tracing from 6.3 percent to 16% and reduce TB cases through intensified case finding. Another objective of the campaign is to increase HIV testing,” she said.
A BOT50 representative and Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture district coordinator, Minkie Bokole said in the last financial year, more than 15,800 people were infected with STIs in the area. Between April and July this year, being the first quarter of the current financial year, more than 5,000 people have already been infected with STIs.
“As the BOT50 local organising committee we are going to join the campaign so that we fight against infectious diseases. It is important for people to be taught about STIs, TB and HIV so that they look after their health and celebrate BOT50 healthily and safely,” she said.