HIV and AIDS Specialist in the USA Embassy, Patrick Kunene says Swazis are more concerned about how they can be circumcised than going for an HIV test.
Addressing Buffalo Soldiers security guards during the commemoration of the World AIDS Day on Friday, Kunene emphasised that it was important for people to know their HIV status.
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He said circumcision was one other way of fighting the dreaded pandemic.
He warned that before going to get circumcised, they need to take a blood test so they can know whether or not their blood is free of diseases like sugar diabetes and others.
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Also in attendance US Ambassador Earl Irving, Public Affairs Officer, Tanya Ward and members of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Ambassador Irving said the event was part of the US Embassy’s effort to join in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
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Ambassador Irving said it was important for the embassy to fight to protecting the lives of security guards because they (security guards) are charged with protecting the lives and properties of citizens.
“Today we have come to share ideas on how you can protect yourselves from contracting HIV and AIDS,” he told the Buffalo Soldiers.
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PEPFAR country coordinator Christopher Detwiler told the guards that it was important that each person protected him/her self, get tested, reduced promiscuity, used condoms and get circumcised.
“It is our human right to remain HIV free or live positively with dignity’’, he said. He said their motto for 2010m was “exercise your rights… Stop HIV and AIDS’.’
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Buffalo Soldiers Manager Hosea Thwala thanked the embassy for their support on HIV and AIDS issues and promised to put all the information shared with them to good use.
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