Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Awareness Campaign

According to recent statistics there is 1 new infection every 15 seconds – 85 million so far are infected and the Church in many nations is a major provider of compassionate care and compassion for those living with and affected with AIDS.

Mapalo Network of Churches held a VCT awareness campaign in our community and more than 80 people were tested on site such the testers finished.

Voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) for HIV allows individuals to determine their HIV status and serve as a gateway for both HIV prevention and early access to treatment, care, and support. Identifying factors associated with VCT acceptance among different professional and community groups is essential in promoting the service.

Photo: People queuing for VCT

Those who test positive are encouraged to join the support group in our community. Our support group helps people living with HIV and AIDS and those who are not infected to come together and share their challenges, hope and dreams.

“Through this support group I no longer feel discriminated, my brethren even reminds me to continue adhering to treatment and it’s through this group that I got a grant,” stated Beatrice.

Our support group encourages ARV treatment program which is a great relief to society and most importantly to people infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

From an ethical point of view, it is worth stating that the use of ARVs is helping to control HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination especially in urban Africa. ARV treatment programs help to prevent or conceal the outward physical symptoms that enable the general public to become suspicious of a person’s HIV status, hence the lack of stigma in places of work, business, worship, education, entertainment and other social events.

Photo: People registering to go for testing

However, it is important to state that ARV treatment programs alone cannot ultimately eradicate stigmatization of PLHWA in the African setting. There is an urgent need for Christians in Africa to confront the stigmatization of AIDS head-on.

Our Prayer Items

• · Pray that our churches continue to do door-to-door campaign on VCT and AIDS awareness.
• · Pray for resources for our support group so that they start income generating activities.

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