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THE work carried out by this sub-directorate is divided into two
functions: social mobilisation and community support; and care and
prevention.
One of the key aspects of the unit's social mobilisation
programme is a multi-faceted approach involving input from several
participants, including the Johannesburg Aids Council, regional Aids
forums, ward-based structures, youth and women, community action
groups, hostels, informal settlements and the Khomanani campaign.
It is involved with helping communities through setting up and
monitoring support groups for those affected by Aids and by providing
terminal care support. It also educates communities about HIV and Aids
through awareness campaigns.
The care and prevention programmes of the sub-directorate
include providing support to and monitoring the commercial sex workers
project, funding non-governmental organisations, voluntary counselling
and testing, community health worker programmes and European
Union-funded programmes.
It offers clinical support for sexually transmitted infections
and prevention of mother-to-child transmission. PCR testing (polemerase
chain reaction) is a laborotary test used to diagnose HIV infection in
exposed infants (infants born to HIV-infected mothers). Isoniazide
(INH) preventive therapy is administered to prevent the progression of
latent infection to active TB and to avoid the complications associated
with HIV-related TB. Diflucan is indicated for the management of
opportunistic infections in people with HIV or Aids.
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