NEWS

Wednesday 2 December 2020

Many turn up for testing as gold mine hosts AIDS day

Women wait to under cervical cancer check up at the AGPAHI pavilion


 

HUNDREDS of people, including local communities surrounding North Mara Gold Mine turned up for health check-up during the commemoration of World AIDS Day held at Nyamongo in Mara Region yesterday.

 

Besides HIV testing, many women also flocked to the Ariel Glaser Pediatric AIDS Health Initiative (AGPAHI) pavilion for cervical cancer examination which was offered for free, thanks to the gold mine for making the event possible.

Mara Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS) Ms Caroline Mthapula (centre in dark clothes) is being briefed on care and treatment services being provided by Ariel Glaser Pediatric AIDS Health Initiative (AGPAHI) to the people living with  HIV AIDS virus  in the region.

 

“We have served 1,687 women who were screened for cervical cancer during this year’s AIDS day commemoration, AGPAHI Programme Officer at Mara Regional office, Ms Neema  Nasari  said, moments before the AIDS commemorations were officially closed.

 

North Mara Gold Mine says the event was organized through Kenyamanki Group, a local partner who is well placed to mobilize local communities to participate in such events.

A representative of the North Mara Gold Mine General Manager, Mr Simon Sanga speaks to journalists during the World Aids Day


 

“We also get involved by mobilizing gold mine workers and contractors working at the mine to undergo voluntary HIV testing, Mr Simon Sanga who represented the North Mara General (GM) Manager during the event said.

Various leaders concentrating during the commemoration of World AIDS Day



The gold mine is operated by Barrick Gold Corporation in partnership with the Government of Tanzania through Twiga Minerals Corporation.

North Mara Gold Mine’s Occupation Health and Safety Manager, Mr Reuben Esikia Ngusaru speaks to reporters shortly after the event.

 

“We have been commemorating World AIDS Day since 2010 inside the mine. This time around, we have decided to involve local communities,” the gold mine’s Occupation Health and Safety Manager, Mr Reuben Esikia Ngusaru said, adding that the occasion was well organized and coordinated by Kemanyanki youth group.

Citizens from villages, North Mara Gold  Mine and other areas of Mara region in a  queue ready to undergo voluntary HIV testing on Tuesday,  during the 2020 worlds AIDS day held at Nyamongo secondary school ground  with the support of the mine which is operated by Barrick gold corporation  in partnership with the government through Twiga Minerals Corporation

 

North Mara is one of the country’s largest gold mines with large number of workers of them Tanzanians including those living in the villages surrounding the mine.

Mara Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Ms Caroline Mthapula (second from right) arrives at Nyamongo secondary school ground to officiate the 2020 World Aids Day

 

Speaking during the occasion, Mara Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Ms Caroline Mthapula called for continued concerted efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in the region.

 

She also congratulated North Mara Gold Mine, AGPAHI and all other stakeholders who made the 2020 Word Aids Day a success story in the gold rich region.

 

“Let us all now work hard to lower HIV infection rates in our region from 3.6 per cent to zero by 2030,” Ms Calorine Mthapula who was the guest of honor on behalf  of the Mara Regional Commissioner (RC), Adam Malima, said.

 

She said though the rate of HIV infections has declined in the country, according to available figures, the war has to go on, to stop any new infections by strictly observing preventive measures among other things.

“We are done” Health officials from Tarime District Council and Ariel Glaser Pediatric AIDS Health Initiative (AGPAHI) Mara Regional Office in a group photo after winding up 2020 World Aids day commemoration in villages around  North Mara Gold Mine on Tuesday.



The 2020 World Aids Day was held in Nyamongo at the regional level.

 

(By Mara Online News Reporter)

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