As World AIDS Day is being held on December 1, an inauguration ceremony for a community health center under the name of Banian Center took place at the PILS headquarters in Port-Louis. The theme chosen for this year is “Equality”. The objective of this center is to provide several services to strengthen support for people suffering from HIV/AIDS.
“The introduction of the AIDS Amendment Bill seeks to amend the HIV/AIDS Act to expand the scope of the HIV testing program nationwide,” said the Minister of Health. and welfare, Kailesh Jagutpal. This bill will allow people who suffer from AIDS to do their own screening by means of a self-test, provided that it is carried out by health personnel.
Sessions, at intervals of twice a week, at the Banian Center are planned. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will make health personnel available to attend to the needs of patients who have contracted HIV/AIDS. Kailesh Jagutpal added that service hours will be extended in the future. In addition to the sessions for HIV/AIDS, the Banian Center will also offer treatments for hepatitis C and syphilis. This community center will be a platform for people at risk so that they can identify themselves without fear of being judged.
World AIDS Day: first community center inaugurated
