Illovo hold HIV/Aids awareness in Nkhotakota

As one way of promoting a healthy workplace and nation, Illovo Sugar Company last Saturday organized a health awareness day that mostly tackled on issues of HIV/AIDS where Nkhotakota North constituency member of parliament Frank Mphande hailed the Company for its effort in fighting against HIV and AIDS.

The function was held at Chitowe Stadium in Nkhotakota where Mphande was the guest of honour and had a chance of talking to the youth on the need for abstinence and working hard in school.

“It is an honour to be invited at such an important function. Most importantly let me hail Illovo Sugar Company for organizing the ceremony which is one of the vital efforts in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

“The company has also built various hospitals which are offering ART services which points to the fact that Illovo is serious in its fight against HIV and AIDS pandemic”, said the parliamentarian,” said Mphande.

He added: “The youth should take care of themselves and their future by not engaging in behaviours which puts them on the risk of contracting HIV since today’s development heavily relies on the contribution of young people”.

The ceremony was strategically shifted from 1st December, 2016 to 22nd April 2017 to allow more participation of the workers at Dwangwa Illovo sugar estate since in the month of April most of the workers are expected to be back from holidays.

Some of the activities during the ceremony included a big walk, military parade by students, drama, nyau dance, and acrobatics. Illovo Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) clinic in Dwangwa currently has 1, 492 individuals on ART 88% of which are reportedly doing well on their regimen.