NCST IN HIV/AIDS WORK PLACE AWARENESS DRIVE

The National Commission for Science and Technology has decided to throw its weight towards the reduction of HIV /AIDS in this country by doing its own share within its own constituency of NCST.

A one day workshop was held at Pacific Hotel on 23rd March, 2015 under the theme “NCST for an HIV/AIDS free generation”. Topics under discussion included Risk factors to HIV transmission. The members of staff were also given an overview of some HIV prevention programmes such as Voluntary medical male circumcision (MMC), Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTC).

A number of topics also touched on assisting people who are already living with HIV e.g. use of antiretroviral drugs and issues of viral load testing

Members of NCST staff expressed satisfaction over the presentation of the selected topics which addressed emerging issues that everybody needs to know in light of the 90:90:90 target for dealing with HIV.

Speaking at the close of the workshop, the Director General Mr. Anthony Muyepa Phiri made a commitment that NCST will institute a feasible HIV/AIDS work place policy to care and support members of staff who need such kind of support because they are already HIV positive and how to keep negative employees negative and to reduce stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

Dr Edgar Lungu of UNICEF facilitated the programme.