By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
As HIV/Aids exacts its toll, the demand for services and projects such as voluntary counselling and testing, care and support and home-based care, is on the increase, says a group that promotes the well-being of HIV-positive people.
Yet, for most non-governmental HIV/Aids organizations in the country, this is a serious problem especially because of insufficient financial resources.
In light of this situation, most NGOs have now formed public/private partnerships in order to keep themselves afloat, while at the same time upholding these relations on a long-term basis.
It is only through such action that Namibia could reduce the HIV prevalence rate.
This came out on Tuesday when Lironga Eparu, a national organization of people living with HIV/Aids, received a donation of N$7 500 from Holcim Namibia.
The donation also came with an additional six boxes of bottle-feeding milk formulae for HIV-positive mothers.
Handing over the cheque, country manager of Holcim Namibia, Johan Burger, said that although the donation was collectively a Holcim donation, it was a contribution from every employee of Holcim Namibia.
With the current prevalence rate of HIV/Aids standing at 19,9 percent, a more integrated effort is needed to fight this growing pandemic.
“The fight against this disease cannot be left to government or HIV and Aids organizations only. Because it is a social and economic challenge, it is imperative we all join hands as a nation to fight the pandemic,” added Burger.
Lironga Eparu, which means, “learning to survive” was established in 1999 by a group of concerned Namibians living with HIV/Aids.
Besides improving the quality of lives of people living with HIV/Aids, the organization further aims to empower members to combat discrimination against its members and raise consciousness among the general public on the interests and needs of people living with HIV and Aids.
Welcoming the donation, the director of Special Programmes within the Ministry of Health and Social Services, Ella Shihepo, said it was commendable to see the results of partnership and commitment of the private sector to support the national Aids response.
“HIV/Aids treatment, care and support intervention is a tremendously expensive undertaking that cannot be accomplished by government alone.
Thus, we need to encourage the public/private partnership to supplement our efforts,” added Shihepo.
She appealed to other private entities to emulate Holcim Namibia’s example, while encouraging Lironga Eparu to ensure that the funds are used for the benefit of its members.
Expressing gratitude, executive director of Lironga Eparu, Emma Tuahepa, said the donation came at the right time and would be used to uplift the lives of people living with HIV and Aids.
“For this donation, Lironga Eparu was contacted by Holcim Namibia, who wanted to make a contribution.
This is indeed a new era for our partnership together and the beginning of good future relations,” said Tuahepa.