SA politicians need to take the test

On World Aids Day (December 1), South African opposition party the Independent Democrats has urged politicians to take a public HIV/Aids test. Politicians in the country are not setting an example, the party has argued.

In a statement, party leader Patricia de Lille reiterated her call to MPs to take the test. She first made the call three years ago when she was a Pan Africanist Congress of Azania MP.

“NGO billboards and education programmes everywhere appeal to people to find out their status, but the political leadership of this country is not setting the example,” she said.

She noted that less than a handful of MPs have gone for the test “or even publicly disclosed that they are aware of their status”.

“It is an important step in our struggle to control infection rates. If you know that you are HIV-positive, you are more likely to behave responsibly. Knowing your status means you can also take action to look after your health and prolong your life,” said De Lille.

“Public Aids tests by community leaders could go a long way in breaking the stigmatising of HIV-positive people,” she added. — I-Net Bridge