Sunday 21 May marked the 35th International Aids Candlelight Memorial Day for lives lost to HIV/Aids.
The day was also commemorated in Saxonsea, Atlantis through a partnership between the TB/HIV Association and other role-players, such as the local New Apostolic church.
Guest speakers at the event included Dr Lameez Witbooi, who works with patients who are HIV positive or has full blown Aids, Benjamin Williams, who has lived with the virus for almost 20 years, and Councillor Fiona Abrahams, who gave the keynote address.
Witbooi told the gathering that HIV/Aids can be prevented.
“On this day we remember those who died from HIV/Aids so needlessly,” she said. “Death is inevitable, we are all going to die, but HIV/Aids can be prevented.”
Witbooi also spoke about the stigma attached to the disease. “Sometimes we treat people differently. We stigmatise them and already have a funeral for them, while they are still alive.”
She also said no one speaks about how horrible it is to die of HIV/Aids and gave the audience a graphic description of the process of wasting away, all systems shutting down, while the patient is still alive.
But in an era of informed intervention and anti-retrovirals, this need not take place, Williams told the audience, and people with HIV can live successfully for many years.
“I have been on antiretroviral medication for 17 years now, and I am still alive X glad and proud to be here,” he declared.
Cllr Abrahams reiterated the importance of Atlantis having its own hospice/frail care facility, where people with HIV/Aids and other major communicable illnesses can be treated.
She also urged people to know their status, even if married.
Witbooi and Williams released two white doves to symbolise freedom from stigma.
Those present also had an opportunity for blood pressure and diabetes screenings and for being tested for HIV/Aids.
