MOUNT Kilimanjaro porters have been urged to be proactive in war against HIV/AIDS as a way to ensure the nation does not lose its workforce or increase the number of dependants due to the malady.
Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner (RC),
Mr Said Meck Sadiki told the porters that HIV/AIDS statistics in the
country and particularly in the region shows that the problem is still
huge; hence they have to be responsive in the fight.
Mr Sadiki told the porters that the
government’s target is to avoid new infections, stigma and
discrimination and at the end of the day see to it that no death occurs
due to AIDS.
He was officiating over five-days
training on HIV/AIDS to the porters at the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of Tanzania hall at Himo. The training was organised by Kilimanjaro
Against Gender Based Violence (KIAGBV), supported by Tanzania Commission
for AIDS (Tacaids) and Geita Gold Mine (GGM). The RC said such training
was very important, as porters are part of youths who are affected by
the malady.
“The HIV and AIDS problem has a huge
adverse effect to the nation’s social and economical setting. Some of
them are losing the workforce as people suffer for a long time and
become weak, and eventual deaths increase the number of dependant groups
such as orphans, widows and widowers,” said the RC.
He said the National AIDS Policy calls
for all sectors to actively take part in the fight against the problem
while the government provides leadership and coordination to the sectors
on ways of planning and implementation of interventions.
That is so, he added, because HIV/AIDS
is not only a health issue but a cross-cutting one, affecting every
sector, including tourism.
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