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WINDHOEK, Namibia, Feb. 19, 2003 — The Social Marketing Association (SMA), PSI's affiliate in Namibia, announces the opening of three new New Start VCT centers, all of which are run by faith-based organizations associated with the Protestant and Catholic churches. SMA is franchising New Start VCT to the most interested, relevant and capable NGOs in Namibia under a European Community grant, and plans to have a further three centers up and running by September this year. Two of the new centers were opened in the capital, Windhoek, and one
in Oshakati, Namibia's second largest city, with funding from the European
Commission. John Allen, SMA marketing and sales manger, was quoted in an article in the Namibian, the English language daily: "The fear of being stigmatized, (having) their status revealed and ultimate rejection by society has for a long time prevented people from seeking counseling and being tested for HIV. The centers thus offer new hope for people wishing to share their worries in a confidential setting, being tested without fear of identification and ultimately make informed choice on behavior change." Media coverage of the launch has been excellent, with articles written in English, Afrikaans and Oshiwambo. Government support has also been good. The Zimbabwe New Start logo was researched along with other regional variations and chosen as the most preferable for Namibia. The services are priced at N$10 (US$ 1.25) which covers pre- and post-test counseling and the HIV test over a three-month period, with a fee waiver for those unable to afford it. SMA is carrying out a mass marketing campaign, initially to make people aware of the logo and VCT. For example, a comic book covering HIV issues and promoting the New Start VCT centers is appearing on a monthly basis in the main national newspaper. During the first ten days of operation a total of 189 clients were
seen of which 10.5% tested positive. Most of the HIV positive clients
were women and between the ages of 20 and 29. —Sue Holland, Country Representative, PSI/Namibia
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