Word from NAFOPHANU Chairman Dr. Watiti

I assumed office as chairman of NAFOPHANU this year (2008) and I have found the place interesting because of disciplined, interesting and easy to work with staff. Majority of our staff are HIV positive who are open about their status.

The challenges of NAFOPHANU are enormous and the organization has a long way to go. This organization champions issues to do with HIV and AIDS, some of which are advocacy among People Living with HIV/AIDS, human rights advocacy, stigma, and positive prevention (fighting HIV).

It is estimated that 1.2% of the world population is infected; I believe it could be more but people do not want to come out to testify.

It should be noted that even the HIV drugs are expiring in the stores because people are not coming out to demand for the drugs. The organization is partly funded by the Global Fund. I want to see a world were people are free of HIV/AIDS and stop dying from curable disease. People should know that even if you have the disease, you can leave a good life. NAFOPHANU therefore, encourages people to test for HIV/AIDS and also to take care.

In our two years term, we want to advance the course of prevention of HIV/AIDS. We shall mobilize money, educate, inform and communicate to the world about HIV/AIDS. We shall use media most especially electronic media to reach to more people. I acknowledge the government’s work in the fight against HIV and even for the work done to the infected.