Following the successful launch and dissemination of the country’s national strategic framework on HIV and AIDS, the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) is working around the clock to ensure that a braille version of the strategy is also produced for visually impaired persons. Braille is a series of raised dots that can be read with the fingers by people who are visually impaired and therefore unable to read printed material.
Publishing the national strategy on HIV and AIDS on braille is part of ensuring that the HIV and AIDS strategy is lends itself to ease of access to all members of the public as it is the country’s roadmap to meaningfully respond to HIV and AIDS.
HIV and AIDS continues to be our collective concern (Indzaba yetfu sonkhe) – and equally affects people who are visually challenged. This therefore means messages need to be accessible to them too, so that they are equally empowered to understand the direction the country is taking to respond to HIV and AIDS. They also need to see how they fit into the direction – the big picture – the country is taking.
NERCHA is aware that not everybody institution or individual has received copies of the national strategy on HIV and AIDS yet as the process of dissemination is still on going. Copies of the national strategy are available through the National Information Centre which is based in Manzini – LaMvelase Centre. Those distant from the Centre may contact any other organisation that is working on HIV and AIDS, which may readily link them with the National Information Centre to access copies of the HIV and AIDS strategy.
On another NERCHA through the National HIV and AIDS Information and Training Centre shared information to over 700 people who during this year’s Swaziland International Trade Fair (SITF) that took place from 29th August to 5th September 2014 themed “Development Unusual; Integrating Business into Vision 2022”.
Besides HIV and AIDS information, NERCHA also shared information on Ebola. Information included the use of pictures to raise awareness on signs and symptoms Ebola – which were beamed on a display board.
Mandla Luphondvo
Head of Information and Communication
