Health Official Urges HIV/AIDS Testing Among Elderly Population In Tanzania

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 08 Jan 2009 - 4:00 PDT

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Make Msuya -- a district health officer in Korogwe, Tanzania -- recently called on elderly people to be tested for HIV/AIDS in order to help curb the spread of the disease in the country, Guardian/IPP Media reports. Msuya made the announcement during a training course for 50 elderly district residents, which was organized by Tanga Elderly Women Resource Center -- an organization that aims to raise awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on older people. In addition, Msuya also called on elderly populations to avoid harmful practices that increase the risk of spreading HIV, including female genital mutilation and widow inheritance. He also called on older people to continue to serve as care givers to children whose parents have died from AIDS-related causes. "Your role as care givers is exemplary, and the community was banking on you to win the war against HIV/AIDS," Msuya said. He also urged health care officials in the district to provide gloves and condoms in their villages in order to combat the spread of the disease (Kigwangallah, Guardian/IPP Media, 1/2).

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