Go for HIV test, John Nyagarama tells staff
Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama, who said on March 30, 2015 that an HIV test is a must for all county government workers. PHOTO | HENRY NYARORA |
What you need to know:
- Mr Nyagarama on Monday said knowing the status of the workers would enable the county to take care of them and curb the spread of the virus that causes Aids.
The test, he said, is not meant to victimise anyone but to enable the county fight the prevalence of Aids, which currently stands at 6.4 percent.
The governor told Nation.co.ke that the policy is aimed at stemming the rise of new HIV infections in the region.
It is now mandatory for employees of the Nyamira County government to take an HIV test, Governor John Nyagarama has said.
Mr Nyagarama on Monday said knowing the status of the workers would enable the county to take care of them and curb the spread of the virus that causes Aids.
The test, he said, is not meant to victimise anyone but to enable the county to fight the prevalence of Aids, which currently stands at 6.4 percent.
The governor told Nation.co.ke that the policy is aimed at stemming the rise of new HIV infections in the region.
The county government is working closely with anti-Aids agencies to ensure the prevalence rate is halved by 2016.
KNOW STATUS
County director of medical services James Magara said over 6,880 adults and 970 children living with the virus are on antiretroviral therapy.
Mr Magara said health workers had been going around the county urging people to know their status and testing them on a voluntary basis.
“We must start viewing HIV and Aids as any other chronic ailment so that we fully support people living with the virus to end early deaths,” he said.
Dr Magara raised the red flag over the high HIV infection rate among married couples and urged husbands and wives to go for the test.
“We can only win this war if we disclose our status and fight stigma and discrimination,” he said.
