Outcry at Tanzanian HIV beating

There has been an outcry in Tanzania over a woman who was badly injured by her husband after she took an HIV test which is being encouraged nationwide.

Tumaini Mbogela said her husband beat her when she returned from a voluntary counselling centre in the town of Makete where she took the HIV test. Rights activists say the attack was “uncalled for” and women do not need permission to check their HIV status. Half of the 1.6m Tanzanians living with HIV are women, recent figures show. Reports from Makete say the husband is on the run from the police. Relatives claim that he is mentally confused after the realising that the law-enforcers were looking for him.

Nationwide testing
Women’s rights activist Jostina Katunzi said 34-year-old Tamali Mbogella was responding to a nationwide drive when she went for an HIV test in Makete. “Women are so concerned about their health and she was free to go for the test - I do not think she had to consult her husband,” Ms Katunzi said.

The BBC’s John Ngahyoma in Dar es Salaam says the Makete area is one of the worst-affected regions in Tanzania with a 24% HIV prevalence rate compared to 7% nationally. When the health ministry launched a nationwide testing campaign in July, Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete was one of the first to take the HIV test.

Following the Makete case, the head of Tanzania’s Commission for Aids, Taj Liundi, has advised married couples to consult each other before going for the test. “This is an isolated case of a violent man and does not represent all men in Tanzania,” Mr Liundi said. “But we shall intensify our efforts to raise awareness of the importance of going for a test.” Mrs Mbogela has now been discharged from hospital, our correspondent says.

Quote of the day

"HIV does not make people dangerous to know,so you can shake their hands and give them a hug,Heaven knows they need it"
Diana Princess of Wales 1 July 1961-31 August 1997.

Its not a myth its real

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in humans,[1] and similar viruses in other species (SIV, FIV, etc.). The late stage of the condition leaves individuals susceptible to opportunistic infections and tumors. Although treatments for AIDS and HIV exist to decelerate the virus' progression, there is currently no known cure. HIV, et al., are transmitted through direct contact of a mucous membrane or the bloodstream with a bodily fluid containing HIV, such as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, preseminal fluid, and breast milk.[2][3] This transmission can come in the form of anal, vaginal or oral sex, blood transfusion, contaminated hypodermic needles, exchange between mother and baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding, or other exposure to one of the above bodily fluids.

Most researchers believe that HIV originated in sub-Saharan Africa during the twentieth century;[4] it is now a pandemic, with an estimated 33.2 million people now living with the disease worldwide.[5] As of January 2006, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized on June 5, 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. In 2005 alone, AIDS claimed an estimated 2.4–3.3 million lives, of which more than 570,000 were children.[6] A third of these deaths are occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, retarding economic growth and destroying human capital. Antiretroviral treatment reduces both the mortality and the morbidity of HIV infection, but routine access to antiretroviral medication is not available in all countries.[7] HIV/AIDS stigma is more severe than that associated with other life-threatening conditions and extends beyond the disease itself to providers and even volunteers involved with the care of people living with HIV.
HIV/AIDS doesn't discriminate it affects people from all walks of life rich or poor,sportsmen,politicians, entertainers and mostly youths which leads to economic stagnation.So my fellow youngsters we have to change the globe and stay put in overcoming this tragic pandemic, abstain,be faithful,condomise or do go for test.
The latest figures shows that there 78000 people living with HIV in the UK


Lets stay together to eradicate the stigma, and together we shall find cure for HIV/AIDS
This is to commemorate world aids day 1st of December

Dear Mr President