Machakos County residents have been urged to visit VCT centres spread across the county so as to know their HIV status.
Addressing members of the public during a mobile VCT services at Makutano Junction in Machakos County on Friday, Rev Shem Ngiki, director of World Provision Centre, said the number of residents who seek VCT services had dropped over the last three months.
"I wish to encourage residents of Machakos County, despite of their ages or social backgrounds, to turn up in numbers for VCT services so that they know their HIV status," said Ngiki.
Ngiki said it is dangerous for people to live without knowing their status arguing that it might lead to increase of new infections given that those infected with the virus without knowing can ignorantly infect those who are not infected.
He noted that seeking the services has more gains since individuals receive pre-test counseling, under go the VCT tests willingly and later experience a post-test counseling despite the results.
The director said those found to be living positively get to be advised on how to live with the virus as they get introduced to Anti Retro-viral Therapy which suppresses the viral load in their body systems.
According to Ngiki, testing HIV positive is not a life sentence because if the victims abide by the instructions given by the doctors, ensure drug adherence, take proper diet, do physical exercise and try to avoid stress, they can live long just like those not infected by the virus.
Ngiki however warned those living positively against engaging in risky behaviors like unprotected sex that can expose them to re-infections hence increasing the viral load in their bodies.
He said that apart from offering VCT services, the World Provision Centre is committed to sensitising the residents on the benefits and need for seeking VCT services as frequent as after every three months.