Ondjiva — Twenty five health technicians of the districts of Cahama and Namacunde, in southern Cunene province, are attending since last Monday, in Ondjiva city, an upgrading course on issues related to HIV/AIDS counselling and voluntary testing, ANGOP learnt.

The course is being promoted by the local programme of fight against the disease.

Speaking to ANGOP, lecturer Cândida Alcina stressed that course is aimed at expanding the services to other health units, creating groups of home assistance to people living with the HIV virus at all hospitals, with antiretroviral therapy and the vertical transmission cut.

For five-days, the participants will discuss aspects concerning the epidemiological situation of HIV in Angola, the ways of preventing and transmitting the virus, information on abstinence, fidelity, use of condom and the changing of behaviour for HIV prevention.

The seminar will also discuss topics such as the prevention of transmitting the virus from mother to son, deeds and beliefs on HIV, professional code and ethics, stigma and discrimination, users' rights on testing knowledge, humanisation in assistance and bio-safety adherence to treatment.

Southern Cunene province tops the list of seroprevalence rate with 9,4 percent countrywide.