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Lunugamwehera (Hambanthota District),
23 February 2007
– The AIDS and STD Prevention Unit at the
Hambanthota
Base
Hospital
states that in the last three months, 30 patients have tested
positive for HIV. Focusing on these numbers together with a request
from the Provincial Council Secretary, an awareness seminar was
conducted for 100 government officials – Gramasevaka Officers, Samurdhi
Officers, Regional Sector Officers and Provincial Council Staff. These
officers are appointed by the government to look into the needs of the
villagers in their particular area. Pastors from the region were also
present.
After the seminar, 1500 HIV/AIDS brochures were handed over to the
participants for them to distribute
the brochures in their own
villages. The officials were very eager to go back to their villages
and organize the same seminar for their fellow villagers.
Pastors were trained on how to counsel people at risk on HIV/AIDS and on
how to provide psychosocial support and Pastoral care for people living
with the virus.
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