ZARCARE COMMEMORATE WORLD AIDS DAY BY HOSTING HIV/AIDS AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TALK

In commemoration of World AIDS Day, held annually on December 1st, leading online health and wellness services company Zarcare, will facilitate a compelling online discussion about living with HIV/AIDS. This online event will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2023 and aims to spotlight advances and potential breakthroughs in care and health outcomes made possible by HIV/AIDS research.

By the end of 2022, HIV/AIDS had tragically claimed the lives of more than 36 million people worldwide. Today, nearly 39 million individuals live with HIV, making it one of the most devastating pandemics in history. According to Stats SA, around 8.5 million South Africans are living with HIV. That’s a staggering 14% of our population.

Annie Gwerengwe, Founder and Managing Director of Zarcare, says, “This virtual public event serves as a vital opportunity for all South Africans to remember that HIV remains a reality. It is imperative that we continue to combat the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV, as many people still lack essential knowledge about how to live with an HIV-positive diagnosis or protect themselves and others”.

Gwerengwe, continues, “Zarcare offers educational resources to empower users with a better understanding of their health conditions, enabling informed decisions. Awareness campaigns like these encourage regular HIV testing, leading to early detection and prompt treatment. They also help dispel myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the stigma associated with the virus, aligning with the importance of healthcare accessibility in South Africa.”

Zarcare’s mission is to empower individuals to take control of their own well-being and these online sessions form part of Zarcare’s series of conversations which are highlighting important health issues that we as a nation are facing. The online sessions are free to all those who register.

To learn more, see full event details below: 

– Date: Saturday, December 02, 2023

– Time: 10h00 to 10h45

– Cost: Free for registered individuals

– Platform: Zoom

– Registration Link: http://surl.li/ncgxt 

A panel of distinguished voices from medicine, wellness, academia and society will discuss approaches which are essential to give more people access to lifesaving and life-improving resources for HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. 

Speakers will include General Practitioner Dr Farha Cassim, Social Worker and Specialist Wellness Counsellor Liesl Townsend, and Babalwa Sijila who has lived with HIV/AIDS for more than twenty years.  

Dr Cassim, with extensive medical experience in tertiary and primary care facilities as well as in the military, has been deeply involved in community engagement projects related to HIV research. She is a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch.

Liesl Townsend, registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, will focus on the emotional and psychological challenges that individuals with HIV/AIDS often face, guiding listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. 

Finally, Babalwa Sijila will share her experience living with HIV/AIDS, raising her children and story of boldness, and overcoming a pandemic facing many South Africans and how ARV treatment has become part of her daily life.  

“The 1^st of December is World AIDS Day and it is an important day, serving as a reminder that HIV has not disappeared, and collectively, we must increase awareness and improve education. This session aims to empower people living with HIV to lead healthy lives free from HIV stigma and discrimination. HIV and AIDS are chronic diseases, and individuals living with HIV can lead full and happy lives.” concludes Gwerengwe.

For more information, please visit Zarcare’s website at www.zarcare.com