adminThe idea was conceived after realisation that those in the public transport sector were usually busy and not partaking in HIV and Aids activities.
The launch brought together a number of stakeholders, among them Matabeleland Aids Council (MAC), Professional Drivers Association (PDA), National Aids Council (NAC) and Bulawayo Public Transporters Association (BUPTA).
The launch was organised by Youth for Today and Tomorrow (YTT).
The American government pledged at the launch, to set aside $16 million for HIV and Aids programmes to be distributed in the country in a bid to reach out to people who have limited access to information and treatment of HIV and Aids.
The Assistant Public Affairs Officer in the United States Embassy, Mrs Jillian Bonnardeaux said her government, through the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), had set aside a grant to enable HIV and Aids awareness groups such as YTT to carry out programmes in the country.
“We have been looking for ways to reach people who are unable to access information and treatment easily.
“The embassy will distribute about $16 million towards HIV and Aids activities that was set aside for organisations involved in HIV and Aids prevention and awareness activities such as YTT,” she said.
The selected public termini include Basch Street, commonly known as Egodini, Renkini Long Distance Bus Terminus, Nkulumane Complex Bus Terminus and Sekusile Taxi Rank.
Mrs Bonnardeaux said organisations such as YTT were effective in the dissemination of information about treatment to public transporters who are always busy.
The YTT programmes organiser, Mr Alert Ncube, said the programme would achieve behavioural change and reduce HIV infections among the public transporters.
“We hope to end stigmatisation and encourage behaviour change and conscientise groups such as public transporters who hardly have the time to seek counselling and testing,” he said.
PDA national chairman and chief executive officer, Mr Albert Sibanda, said the centres would ensure services were easily accessible.
“Easily accessible and less time consuming mobile clinics would enable drivers, touts and conductors to easily access treatment,” he said.
Mr Sibanda said public transport owners should lead by example and get tested and be involved in behavioural change.
Meanwhile, a total of 21 194 people responded to voluntary counselling and testing during outreach programmes done by the MAC last year in Matabeleland region.
The outreach programmes covered Matabeleland North and South as well as Bulawayo, which saw places like Nkayi, Insiza, Bulilima and Mangwe benefiting from the VCT.
The testing and counselling manager at the New Start Centre, Mr Chrispin Ngulube, said the outreach programmes were effective in the rural areas as schools were a focal point in the dissemination of information pertaining to VCTs.
“Schools are part of the community so it is easy to distribute information about outreach programmes. We give pupils the notices that we would be coming and they in turn tell their parents who respond.
“We mostly work with schools in our outreach programmes,” said Mr Ngulube.
He said the number of males who attended VCTs increased last year to 10 542 compared to 2010 when 8 111 attended. He attributed the increase to the male circumcision drive.
“The increase in men coming for VCTs was because of the male circumcision programme. This saw a large number of males coming for the programme hence the increase of 2 431,” said Mr Ngulube.
Mr Ngulube, however, said less women participated in the programmes.
He said in 2010 11 037 women attended, compared to 9 304 last year.
Online Reporter