Low youth HIV testing patronage worries NGO
The Community of Saint Egidio’s Disease Relief Excellent Advanced Means (Dream.2) has bemoaned the low number of youths going for HIV testing and counselling (HTC).
Speaking recently in Balaka during the launch of National Aids Commission (NAC) funded Consolidating HIV fight through 90:90:90 Strategy, Dream.2 national director Lawrence Alumando said the youth should not take HTC messages lightly.
“Dream.2 has realised that very few youths go for HTC in clinics these days so we wanted to reach out to them to sensitise them to the importance of knowing their sero-status as a starting point for planning their lives” he said.
take HTC seriously
He said Dream.2 organised a youth HIV testing campaign targeting 12 to 24 year olds in five sites in traditional authorities Nsamala and Kalembo to give them easy access to HTC services.
Balaka Dream.2 centre coordinator Elisha Tsamdoka said the campaign has so far mobilised over 2000 youth to go for the services.
“Those found HIV positive are linked to service providers. We are targeting the youths with focus on HTC and prevention of mother to child transmission in the whole Balaka District,” he said.
