'World's Most Ambitious HIV Testing Campaign' Launched

"First Things First," a new university-based HIV testing campaign launched Monday, is the latest initiative encouraging South Africans to know their serostatus. The public-private partners who are leading the campaign say behavior changes in young people are needed if the country is to successfully tackle HIV/AIDS.

Students should have their "first HIV test in the first weeks of first-year student life at university," said Val Beaumont, executive director of Innovative Medicines of South Africa, which joined with the government to develop the campaign. Other partners include the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the South African National AIDS Council, the Foundation of Professional Development, the Higher Education HIV and AIDS Program, and Higher Education South Africa.

"Knowing your status is not the only prevention strategy, but it is the most important intervention," Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said at the campaign's launch at Witwatersrand University. "We chose to reach out to students as they are our future leaders who can enable positive change within society."

Motsoaledi said 250 staffers from participating organizations have been trained to test students on an ongoing basis, "ensuring a lasting legacy of testing in tertiary institutions beyond the life of the campaign." Those who undergo voluntary testing are asked to sign a pledge that reads: "We, the class of 2011, pledge to know our status, to stop the HIV/AIDS stigma and to contribute to the struggle against HIV/AIDS." Testers will also view a 30-minute DVD as part of the pre-counseling process.

"First Things First" is part of what Beaumont called "the most ambitious HIV testing campaign in the world" - a nationwide effort to test 15 million South Africans by June 2011.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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