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Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Commemorated World AIDS Day at Lillian Ngoyi Sports Centre, where Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe encouraged residents to test for HIV, start treatment early, and protect their health.
What Happened
The World AIDS Day commemoration brought together residents, health workers, and several government departments. Health teams offered HIV testing, tuberculosis screening, cervical cancer screening, Pap smears, and other essential services. Residents also received support with service delivery matters from departments on site.
Mayor Lobishe said early testing and treatment remained key to preventing deaths and improving long-term health outcomes. She urged all residents to visit their nearest clinic and take advantage of free services.
Official Response
The Mayor also emphasized the impact of gangsterism on health facilities across the metro. She said crime disrupted services, intimidated staff, and slowed access to care for many communities. She called for stronger partnerships between residents, law enforcement, and government to keep clinics safe.
Municipal officials said the City remained committed to improving health access and supporting national HIV and tuberculosis targets.
Community Impact
Residents who attended the event said the health screenings helped raise awareness and reduced stigma around testing. Health workers said more people took up HIV prevention medication, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, and started antiretroviral treatment on site.
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