Nyamira compels staff to go for HIV testing

What you need to know:

  • Policy aimed at stemming rise in new infections.
  • Devolved unit is out to stem the rise in new infections, says governor.

Nyamira county employees will from now on go for HIV testing.

“Knowing the workers’ status will enable us to plan on how best we can take care of them,” said Governor John Nyagarama.

He said the move was also meant to enable the regional government to stem the rise in new infections.

DEADLY DISEASE

Mr Nyagarama said the policy was not aimed at victimising anyone but to lower the region’s HIV prevalence rate, which currently stands at 6.4 per cent.

He said his administration was working closely with some anti-Aids agencies in the war against the deadly disease.

According to the county director of medical services, Dr James Magara, more than 6,880 adults and 970 children living with the virus were already undergoing anti-retroviral therapy after voluntary tests were carried out across the region early this year.

He said health workers have been going around the county, urging people to know their health status and conducting voluntary HIV testing.

CURB EARLY DEATHS

“We must start viewing HIV/Aids as any other chronic ailment so that we fully support people living with the virus to curb early deaths,” he said.

Dr Magara raised concern over the high HIV prevalence rate among married couples.

He said there was need for couples to know their status so that they can be put on medication.

“We can only win this war if we disclose our status and fight stigma and discrimination,” said Dr Magara in a telephone interview.