|
|
 |
LENEPWA declares no more AIDS related
deaths |
 |
|
|
 |
The Secretary of Lesotho Network of People
Living With HIV and AIDs (LENEPWA) District
Executive Committee in Mokhotlong Mrs. Manthati
Nyamatane said when the people in the mountain
district of Mokhotlong first heard about HIV and
AIDS, they were worried and scared because at
that time AIDS meant a death sentence to many.
Speaking at the closing of the treatment
literacy training-of-trainers workshop held at
Lake-side hotel, Maseru on December 19, 2008,
Nyamatane pointed out that “in the past many of
our people died of HIV and AIDS but now we
declare no more AIDS related deaths.”
“We now have LENEPWA with branches in all
districts throughout the country which helps to
spread the gospel of hope, that there is life
even during AIDS era,” she added.
She mentioned that with LENEPWA the war against
AIDS will be won, because if they will fail they
would fail the whole nation.
She appealed to the Global Fund to provide funds
not only to LENEPWA but also to other community
based organisations working with HIV and AIDS to
ensure the fund benefits even the grassroots
community in the mountains.
“We were in darkness but now we see the light
because knowledge is power and Lesotho and
Basotho will never be same,” declared Nyamatane
confidently.
“Basotho from all sectors of lives are going to
join hands to ensure no body die of HIV and AIDS
by ensuring every person tests and knows their
HIV status and spread message of hope to
everyone,” she added.
Addressing participants, the Deputy Coordinator
of Global Fund Coordinating Unit (GFCU) in
Lesotho Rev. Mokhothu Makhalanyane mentioned
that the aim of treatment literacy training is
to ensure that HIV positive people who are in
treatment have wide knowledge of treatment so
that no one should be killed or be deformed by
the treatment.
“Let us work together with nurses, doctors,
LENEPWA, government and civil society
institutions to combat the scourge,” he said.
He indicated that the participants of the
training are drawn from all the districts
therefore he urged them to go to their
respective districts and impart the treatment
knowledge acquired from this workshop.
The LENEPWA National President Mr. Mohau Mabote
said the treatment literacy workshop is an eye
opener for people living with HIV and AIDS. He
said during the training they were able to learn
about different types of AIDS treatments and how
do they work in the body with their side
effects. The participants also learn about TB
and its treatment and its relationship to HIV
and AIDS.
“We will make sure that all trained participants
have plans to extend the message to others and
report back to LENEPWA,” said Mabote.
The treatment literacy training was organised by
Adventist Relief Agency (ADRA) to train People
Living with HIV and AIDS on treatment varieties,
adherence and side effects. Participants were
people living with HIV and AIDS drawn from
LENEPWA and Seventh Day Adventist from 10
districts of the country. This is the first
phase while the second phase will be held later
in 2009. |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
