08:40 26.10.2008 | All news from "AIDS/HIV"
Mozambique: First Lady Advises Women to Seek Counselling On HIV
Speaking at a rally in the Quelimane suburb of Manhaua B on Thursday, Guebuza said it had been found that fewer women than men attend counselling sessions given in the health units, or by the various NGOs that work on preventing and fighting against HIV/AIDS.
She was responding to an intervention by an activist of the Christian charity World Vision, Luisa de Sousa, who complained that some women insult her when she does door-to-door counselling work, advising HIV-positive people on the possibility of treatment, and on the good nutritional habits needed to lead a positive life.
Sousa said that "women are less receptive to messages on HIV/AIDS and voluntary testing or about ARV treatment even if they prove to be HIV positive and in need of this kind of treatment".
However, Sousa assured Guebuza that she will not give up as an activist and will continue her counselling work in support of people who need to know that they can be treated and lead a normal life.
Guebuza stressed that in all districts in Zambezia and in all other provinces, local health units can conduct HIV/AIDS tests, they can administer ARVs and they can prevent vertical transmission of the virus from mother to child.
On Thursday she also visited the 17 September health centre in Quelimane, where she talked to mothers in the local maternity ward. This health centre sees about 180 adults and 100 children a day.
Reports from this health centre are that about half the women who undergo the HIV tests have the virus in their blood, and the authorities are thus seriously concerned about rising HIV prevalence rates in Zambezia.http://allafrica.com/