Fight Against AIDS taken to the Roads

The fight against Aids is being taken to the roads with the launch of the first ever HIV-Aids Resource Centre at a taxi rank in Impendle. The taxi rank project, which will see eight similar facilities being established across the province, is the result of a ground-breaking partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal departments of Health and Transport and national fuel parastatal, Petronet.

The Resource Centre is housed in a converted container and has been equipped and staffed to assist in information dissemination, the handing out of condoms as well as to provide HIV testing and counselling services.

Our Minister Mr S’bu Ndebele said that the Department initiated Aids Awareness Programmes in 2001 through road shows that targeted the trucking and taxi industries. He said that a budget of R800 000 for the 2002/2003 financial year was allocated in order to execute these programmes.

"The Department is working in conjunction with the Department of Health and Petronet to launch eight resource centres for the benefit of the taxi industry across KwaZulu Natal. Centres will serve as the Taxi Rank Office for HIV/Aids counselling and testing," said the Minister.

Provincial Health MEC Dr Zweli Mkhize urged the community to utilise the Resource Centre, saying a concerted effort was needed in the fight against the disease.

Petronet Human Resources manager Africa Mahlangu said that, by supporting this project, his company was fulfilling its Corporate Social Investment responsibility to help empower people with knowledge. "We are not just a fuel company, our mission is to forge partnerships with other organisations to realise the goal of the nation. Apart from the Resource Centre we have helped build clinics and schools in various rural areas," said Mahlangu.

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