Cape Town, November xx, 2023:  In commemoration of World AIDS Day, held annually on December 1st, leading online health and wellness services company ZARCARE, will facilitate a compelling online discussion about living with HIV/AIDS. This online event will take place on Saturday, December 2, 2023, and aims to spotlight advances and potential breakthroughs in care and health outcomes made possible by HIV/AIDS research.

By the end of 2022, HIV/AIDS had tragically claimed the lives of more than 36 million people worldwide. Today, nearly 39 million individuals live with HIV, making it one of the most devastating pandemics in history. According to Stats SA, around 8.5 million South Africans are living with HIV. That’s a staggering 14% of our population.

Annie Gwerengwe, Founder and Managing Director of Zarcare, says, “This virtual public event serves as a vital opportunity for all South Africans to remember that HIV remains a reality. It is imperative that we continue to combat the stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV, as many people still lack essential knowledge about how to live with an HIV-positive diagnosis or protect themselves and others”.

Gwerengwe continues, “Zarcare offers educational resources to empower users with a better understanding of their health conditions, enabling informed decisions. Awareness campaigns like these encourage regular HIV testing, leading to early detection and prompt treatment. They also help dispel myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the stigma associated with the virus, aligning with the importance of healthcare accessibility in South Africa.”

Zarcare’s mission is to empower individuals to take control of their own well-being, and these online sessions form a part of Zarcare’s series of conversations which highlight important health issues that we as a nation are facing. The online sessions are free to all those who register.

To learn more, see full event details below:

●         Date: Saturday, December 02, 2023

●         Time: 10h00 to 10h30

●         Cost: Free for registered individuals

●         Platform: Zoom

●         Registration Link: http://surl.li/ncgxt

A panel of distinguished voices from medicine, wellness, academia, and society will discuss approaches that are essential to give more people access to lifesaving and life-improving resources for HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Speakers will include General Practitioner Dr Farha Cassim, Social Worker and Specialist Wellness Counsellor Liesl Townsend, and Babalwa Sijila, who has lived with HIV/AIDS for more than twenty years. 

Dr Cassim, with extensive medical experience in tertiary and primary care facilities as well as in the military, has been deeply involved in community engagement projects related to HIV research. She is a graduate of the University of Stellenbosch.

Liesl Townsend, registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, will focus on the emotional and psychological challenges that individuals with HIV/AIDS often face, guiding listeners to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.

Finally, Babalwa Sijila will share her experience living with HIV/AIDS, raising her children, the story of boldness, and overcoming a pandemic facing many South Africans and how ARV treatment has become part of her daily life. 

“The 1st of December is World AIDS Day, and it is an important day, serving as a reminder that HIV has not disappeared, and collectively, we must increase awareness and improve education. This session aims to empower people living with HIV to lead healthy lives free from HIV stigma and discrimination. HIV and AIDS are chronic diseases, and individuals living with HIV can lead full and happy lives.” concludes Gwerengwe.

For more information, please visit Zarcare’s website at www.zarcare.com

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Submitted on behalf of Zarcare by NerdNarrative:

Mikateko Maswanganyi

Email: mikateko@nerdnarrative.com

Phone: +27 (0)72 396 4024

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About Zarcare: Zarcare is a leading telehealth and wellness services company dedicated to making healthcare accessible and convenient for all South Africans. The company offers a telehealth platform that connects patients with qualified healthcare professionals and wellness services, consulting and offering advice on their terms. Zarcare’s mission is to transform healthcare in South Africa through technology, ushering in a new era of client-centered or patient-centered care.

Note to Editors: Please feel free to contact us for interviews and additional information or to request visuals, logos, and branding materials related to Zarcare. We are available to provide insights on telehealth and the future of healthcare in South Africa, and related topics.
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is accurate as of the date mentioned and is subject to change without notice.