Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
THE National AIDS Council (NAC) Matabeleland South Provincial Office is conducting a three-day media tour to showcase programmes being implemented in communities across the province.
The tour, which started in Umzingwane District on Tuesday, will also cover Insiza District.
Addressing journalists, National AIDS Council Matabeleland South Provincial Manager Mr Mgcini Sibanda said the goal was to give journalists first-hand experience of NAC interventions and direct interaction with communities, health workers, programme beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
The tour will cover interventions targeting adolescent girls and young women under the Esigodini District Hospital One Stop Centre, the Sista2Sista programme in Insiza District, and Sustainable and Affordable Boarding Facilities at Sihlengeni and Bayethe Secondary Schools in Umzingwane District.
“The tour is designed to equip journalists with credible, on-the-ground information to strengthen HIV/AIDS reporting. The platform enables journalists to move beyond reports and statistics by observing programmes in operation, assessing their impact and hearing directly from beneficiaries.
“Journalists will be able to document successes, identify challenges and highlight gaps that require greater attention. The tour is also expected to strengthen evidence-based reporting, expose communities to available prevention and treatment services, dismantle HIV-related stigma and counter misinformation,” he said.
@DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu