MEDIA RELEASE 20 October 2006 CITY HEALTH EMBARK ON VCT OUTREACH PROJECT The City of Johannesburg Health Department is embarking on Voluntary HIV Counselling and Testing (VCT) outreach campaign. HIV testing services, coupled with the appropriate counselling are being taken to identified communities in the seven Administrative Regions of the City. This project is supported by Right to Care, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) that is working in partnership with the City to ensure that more people know their HIV status. Communities perceived to have less access to information and services on HIV and AIDS, in areas like informal settlements and hostels are being targeted to benefit from this project. The outreach has already been conducted at Denver Hostel, Nancefield Hostel and Zampilo Informal Settlement, and warmly accepted by the community. The campaign will continue to Alex Female Hostel and Madala Hostel at Alexandra on 18 October 2006, Devland Informal Settlement & Kliptown Informal Settlement on 19 & 20 October 2006, Finetown on 24 October 2006, and at Themba Khoza Informal Settlement on 25 October 2006. Through the project, community benefits information on HIV and AIDS including Tuberculosis (TB), whilst also getting access to quality HIV testing without having to travel to a clinic facility. People identified through this outreach as needing other health and social services like AntiRetroviral Treatment programme are referred. The project is part of intensifying the City's Jozi Ihlomile programme. The City of Joburg Health Department is encouraging all of us to come forward to be tested for HIV. Deputy Director: HIV and AIDS, Meisie Lerutla, says by testing for HIV even though we may not be sick, it will give us an opportunity to be given information on HIV and AIDS; help us to understand what VCT is, and how it can benefit us. Those testing HIV positive will have an opportunity to get appropriate services timeously. If you are not infected with HIV, VCT can motivate you to stay HIV negative, and accept those who are infected. If you test HIV positive, it will give you an opportunity to learn how to live positively and stay as healthy as possible for a longer time. VCT services are available to all City of Joburg health facilities. For more information contact: Nkosinathi Nkabinde Communications Officer City of Johannesburg Health Department Telephone: (011) 407 – 6477 Cell: 072 189 7492