Key players call for more awareness on HIV/Aids

Education on HIV/Aids should be strengthened through exposing the existence of sub-Saharan and Western viruses, and how long they last without affecting the infected person. This would be a departure from the current one, described as ‘very partial’ because it is based on disease transmission methods and ways forward, according to Council HIV/Aids Coordinator (CHAC) with Kisarawe District, Rehema Mwiki. She said knowledge on virus types and classes in each will strengthen awareness on how people living with HIV/Aids (PLWHIV) can avoid new transmissions, adding that once a person is affected by sub-Saharan viruses and in absence of new infections, it might take about 15 to 30 years before they fall to serious illness. As for the Western virus type, she added: “It might take above 50 years before she/he seriously gets in bed once there are no new transmissions.” As for the current HIV/Aids education, she said she herself had acquired the knowledge from experts of HIV/Aids through indoor seminars she attended.  Mwiki was speaking last week in Same District at a gathering to impart knowledge to PLWHIV, where HIV/Aids infected people from Kisarawe District, toured the district to gain experience on renewable energy technology. On HIV/Aids, she said due to people’s intermingling, there have been incidents of virus exchanging throughout the world, and insisted on condom uses as mitigation. The chairman of the National Council of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NACOPHA) in Kisarawe, Erick Haule, who confirmed he has been a carrier of HIV virus since 2002 but never has he been bed-ridden because of the disease Haule said:  “I managed to speak various international languages which provided me an opportunity of working in different hotels as receptionist and sometimes a supervisor. “I succeeded to capture a sponsor for International Relations studies in North Virginia, America but it wasn’t my lack since I had diagnosed of HIV in 2002,” he added. The tour of Same has been organized by Tanzania Grassroots Oriented Development (TAGRODE) aimed at the introduction of renewable energy project in Kisarawe in which the NGO wanted PLWHIV in the district to learn practically. According to TAGRODE coordinator, Dicksson Mwalubandu, the initiative involves traditional stoves uses, focused on elimination of forests. “The PLWHIV group leaders are taught on tree seedlings wherein each beneficiary should practice tree planting exercises, hence, forests nourishment,” clarified Mwalubandu. Same and Mwanga Environmental Conservation Advisory Organization (SMECAO) which hosted the tour, had succeeded in disseminating the technology to about 85 percent in district, according to its Managing Director, Sammuel Massawe.