HIV/Aids Africa

The Ministry of Mines and Energy has taken cognisance of the impact of HIV/AIDS and this has lead to the ministry creating a platform for information sharing and dissemination to increase awareness among its staff members.?We value our human capacity strongly and therefore commit ourselves to taking every step and measure possible to prevent and protect them from this pandemic,? said mines minister Erkii Nghimtina on Thursday during an HIV/AIDS information-sharing day for staff at the ministry in Windhoek.The minister said the main target of the pandemic are young and energetic people, which means Namibia is losing a great number of able workers.?The impact of HIV/AIDS is well documented and plainly visible in all corners of our society, and yet people seem not to take it seriously,? a concerned Nghimtina said.Official statistics indicate that the population between the ages of 20 and 29 is the hardest hit. The mines minister added that even people as young as 15 and some as old as 60 years have been hospitalised for HIV/AIDS.?Dear colleagues; it is indeed a very sad and unfortunate statistic that seems to envelop each and every one sitting here today. It is in this spirit that I would like to mention that this pandemic threatens every one; young and old in our society?, said Nghimtina.The minister called on staff to fully participate in the fight against the pandemic in one way or the other, ?because by so doing we will be able to jointly create and build up our understanding.?