NDF soldiers urged to be battle ready on HIV-AIDS

WINDHOEK – All Namibian Defence Force (NDF) members and their partners are encouraged to know their HIV status, Deputy Minister of Defence Victor Simunja said on Monday.

Speaking at the start of a long-week HIV-AIDS seminar, Simunja said counselling and testing services are available countrywide at hospitals and New Start Centres. “There is help and treatment available for those who are HIV positive.These treatment can stop the deaths and destruction of families but you must know your status to access these treatments,” he said.Simunja called on the 48 NDF commanders attending the seminar to support their troops who are living with the virus, adding that they must not isolate their members because they are HIV positive, just as they wouldn’t isolate members injured in battle.The Deputy Minister said defence forces all over the world were hard hit by the HIV-AIDS pandemic.He added that commanders attending the seminar had influence and control over their soldiers and they should, therefore, also have power to stop the disease from spreading.Simunja said the seminar was arming commanders with the necessary information, which they would need to take immediate action.The week-long workshop is organised by the Ministry of Defence and NDF in conjunction with the Social Marketing Association.- Nampa”There is help and treatment available for those who are HIV positive.These treatment can stop the deaths and destruction of families but you must know your status to access these treatments,” he said.Simunja called on the 48 NDF commanders attending the seminar to support their troops who are living with the virus, adding that they must not isolate their members because they are HIV positive, just as they wouldn’t isolate members injured in battle.The Deputy Minister said defence forces all over the world were hard hit by the HIV-AIDS pandemic.He added that commanders attending the seminar had influence and control over their soldiers and they should, therefore, also have power to stop the disease from spreading.Simunja said the seminar was arming commanders with the necessary information, which they would need to take immediate action.The week-long workshop is organised by the Ministry of Defence and NDF in conjunction with the Social Marketing Association.- Nampa