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Political youth group gets tested for HIV

    JOHANNESBURG

    In an effort to fight the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, South Africa's Inkatha Freedom Party Youth Brigade (IFPYB) had themselves publicly tested for HIV on Monday.

    IFPYB spokesman Lucky Mthethwa told the South African Press Association (SAPA) that the resolution to be tested was taken at a conference held by the brigade in August.

    Mthethwa said: "Today we have taken the bold step of having ourselves tested for HIV/AIDS ... and now have given effect to that resolution."

    The first step in the battle against HIV/AIDS, he said, was to have people tested and then proceed to fight the stigma associated with the disease, while respecting the privacy of others.

    He urged people to find out what their status was, saying: "We passionately believe that knowledge is power and without knowing your status you can't regulate your behaviour accordingly."

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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