World AIDS Day is marked on 1 December every year. It is an important day on our calendar. A day to shine the spotlight on HIV, re-ignite important conversations, share how it affects us all and (particularly for this year’s campaign) focus on how we can prevent the spread of HIV.

Theme

The South African National AIDS Council’s (SANAC) theme for World AIDS Day 2017 was ‘I have the right to know, prevention is my responsibility’. It focused on an individual’s responsibility in the fight against HIV, including the importance of knowing one’s status, practicing safe sex and adhering to treatment.

The slogan of South Africa’s World AIDS Day campaign was both simple and impactful: Let our actions count!

Events

TB HIV Care supported SANAC’s campaign with World AIDS Day events across the country. These events, small or large, offered communities free HIV testing and counselling as well as a host of other healthcare services, including TB screening, STI screening, family planning advice, basic health checks (glucose and BMI) as well as counselling, advice and support.

The focus this year was on prevention and so our events encouraged people to know their status (in order to protect themselves and others), promoted voluntary medical male circumcision as well as educating people on correct and consistent condom use. Thousands of condoms were distributed.

Our teams took to the streets, transport hubs, sports events, workplaces and stadiums in order to spread the word – often collaborating with the Department of Health, civil society organisations and other NGOs.

Here are a selection of images from the week:

Western Cape

Delft Day Hospital: TB HIV Care’s CEO, Harry Hausler, with the Western Cape MEC for Health, Nomafrench Mbombo.

Western Cape Premier’s Office

The Mitchells Plain DSTV Festival (VMMC team)

Protea Park, Atlantis (which included a 5-a-side soccer tournament)

Eastern Cape

Walter Sisulu University Stadium: TB HIV Care’s OR Tambo team at the WSU stadium on World AIDS Day. Attendees included the Deputy President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa and the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Mr Phumulo Masualle.

KwaZulu-Natal

Pietermaritzburg: Workplace events at Dunlop, Abadare and Willowtown Oil.

UThukela District: The TB HIV Care provided healthcare services at the Dukuza sportsfield in UKhahlamba. The KZN Premier, MR TW Mchunu delivered the keynote address.