Source: goexpress.co.za<\/p>\n
The Wellness Unit of the department of public works held a build-up event for World Aids Day in Middledrift, under the theme \u201cEnding the HIV\/Aids community\u201d. A candle light prayer was also held to show support to those affected by the virus. Wellness practitioner Nwabisa Malgas said the event\u2019s purpose was to honour those who had passed away and to give hope to those living with the virus.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are honouring our people who have lost their battle with the virus and we are also standing in solidarity with those who still continue living with HIV\/Aids, by encouraging them to live a healthy lifestyle and take their medication\u00a0accordingly,\u201d Malgas said.<\/p>\n
Most of the people attending the event were accelerated professional and trade\u00a0competency development programme (APTCoD) learners.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the Wellness Unit, we felt it was important to bring the educational session to this particular depot as this would equip the learners with the necessary life skills needed to combat the spread of HIV\/Aids,\u201d Malgas explained.<\/p>\n
She said peer educators from Middledrift had organised the event and had invited nurses from local clinics to conduct a candle light prayer.<\/p>\n
Wellness Unit assistant director Zoliswa Soso said their mandate was to ensure all public works employees were in<\/p>\n
good health, in order to minimise absenteeism. \u201cWe have observed over time that there are undesirable behaviours among employees that are becoming a problem including alcohol abuse, financial burdens and absenteeism and it is our responsibility to tackle these issues without favour or prejudice,\u201d Soso said.<\/p>\n
DPW\u2019s Wellness Unit promotes the management of HIV\/Aids, diabetes and cancer, along with other illnesses, and provides a supportive environment for affected or infected employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as HIV\/Aids is around, we will all be around to assist and educate those in need by providing the necessary educational information, together with a support base that will equip employees in better understanding the virus,\u201d she said. She reminded the audience that the event was not to judge anyone but served as a reminder that HIV\/Aids was real and had to be taken seriously.<\/p>\n
\u201cOurs is not to tell you how to live your life but purely to make you aware of the risks associated with making reckless decisions that will eventually affect those around you. \u201cUnder this theme, we can make a difference and bring change to the people around us if we stand together in the fight against HIV\/Aids,\u201d Soso said.<\/p>\n