Call to respond

THIS year’s World AIDS Campaign, which culminates on World Aids Day today, aims to ensure that individuals are actively engaged in the response under the theme ‘Stop AIDS.

Make the Promise’. Everyone has a role to play in responding to HIV and AIDS.The Aids Outreach Disease Management Programme under the auspices of Methealth Namibia Administrators responds by facilitating access to Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Treatment (HAART) to members to improve their health and quality of life, as well as prolong their lives to allow them to work productively for an extended period of time by delaying the onset of AIDS.This treatment effort is beneficial both to those infected and to the prevention effort, as it encourages people to know their status, enabling them to manage the disease more successfully if they test positive.While many programmes have revolved around reporting on numbers of members on treatment rather than the impact on AIDS mortality, the primary purpose of this programme is to minimise HIV-associated mortality through its disease management clinical interventions.With excellent adherence to therapy, it is therefore possible to convert HIV from a fatal infection to a chronic and manageable disease.It is important however, to note that the payment of benefits is subject to enrolment on the programme and strict adherence measures are in place to ensure proper utilisation and successful outcome.The programme participates in, and supports ongoing national and international HIV and AIDS awareness and thus as a social responsibility, also offers a free advisory-support line on HIV and AIDS to all Namibians.The toll free number 0800 007777 is a vital response to “stop AIDS and keep the promise”.So whether you are an employer with a group of people or an individual, you can make a difference.Stop AIDS, ask yourself: Am I Doing Something?Everyone has a role to play in responding to HIV and AIDS.The Aids Outreach Disease Management Programme under the auspices of Methealth Namibia Administrators responds by facilitating access to Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Treatment (HAART) to members to improve their health and quality of life, as well as prolong their lives to allow them to work productively for an extended period of time by delaying the onset of AIDS.This treatment effort is beneficial both to those infected and to the prevention effort, as it encourages people to know their status, enabling them to manage the disease more successfully if they test positive.While many programmes have revolved around reporting on numbers of members on treatment rather than the impact on AIDS mortality, the primary purpose of this programme is to minimise HIV-associated mortality through its disease management clinical interventions.With excellent adherence to therapy, it is therefore possible to convert HIV from a fatal infection to a chronic and manageable disease.It is important however, to note that the payment of benefits is subject to enrolment on the programme and strict adherence measures are in place to ensure proper utilisation and successful outcome.The programme participates in, and supports ongoing national and international HIV and AIDS awareness and thus as a social responsibility, also offers a free advisory-support line on HIV and AIDS to all Namibians.The toll free number 0800 007777 is a vital response to “stop AIDS and keep the promise”.So whether you are an employer with a group of people or an individual, you can make a difference.Stop AIDS, ask yourself: Am I Doing Something?