Fear a setback to VCT
Many people aren’t willing to go to the Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers because they are afraid.
Irene Munga a VCT counselor says testing for HIV is a step towards risk reduction and access to care and treatment.
She says self stigma needs to be overcome by putting one’s health first, noting that though AIDS has no cure, an infected person put on treatment can reduce the viral load and build their system.
Munga points out that they’ve started various initiatives to see to it that more people get tested for HIV.
The counselor says before one is tested; they undergo counseling to prepare for whatever outcome.
Ends…Pat