Zimbabwe MPs to Take Up Public HIV Tests

A dozen Zimbabwe lawmakers, including members from both the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, will voluntarily test for HIV Friday in an attempt to remove the stigma associated with AIDS. The effort is aimed at "raising both debate and awareness on issues surrounding HIV/AIDS," the parliamentarians said in a statement Tuesday. "This is a historic event. The 12 MPs are sending out a clear message about their commitment to fight HIV/AIDS," said Tendayi Westerhof, director of the AIDS lobby Public Personalities Against AIDS Trust. Over 3,000 AIDS deaths occur on average each week in Zimbabwe. Local media reported last year that government morgues, exceeding their capacity by more than three-fold, had to begin turning away bodies.

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