NAMIBIA: AIDS help desk for truck drivers

A Namibian AIDS NGO on Tuesday said it was launching a new HIV/AIDS initiative that targets truck drivers.

The AIDS Care Trust (ACT) said truck drivers were the most vulnerable to HIV infection because of the nature of their work.

"Truck drivers travel long distances across borders and pick up passengers along the way. These are often women who freely exchange or are coerced into sex for a free ride," ACT director, Apere David, told the UN news service PlusNews.

David said a partnership formed with Namibia's major trucking companies has created an HIV/AIDS help desk to raise levels of awareness among the drivers.

"The desk will provide information services to employees of participating companies, as well as counselling and health with home based care for HIV-positive workers," David added.

He said the partnership was presently assessing the cost of providing a treatment plan to truckers living with HIV/AIDS.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Other,

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]