The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) used its World Aids Day statement to highlight “the battle against the stigma associated with HIV/Aids”.

“Stigma sentences people living with HIV/Aids to death as if there is no treatment that can increase their days on earth by many decades‚” the party’s Mbuyiseni Quintin Ndlozi said on Tuesday.

“Stigma is also responsible for many who hide and not come out so that they receive help from our health institution because they fear to be judged and condemned.”

But‚ “most importantly”‚ the EFF spokesperson singled out companies “in the insurance and financial industries” and called on them to “stop discriminating against people living with HIV/AIDS and denying them access to financial services”.

Ndlozi sldo said “preventative measures are the greatest weapon to fight against more infections” and urged “all people” to undergo testing.

“A fighter is not a fighter unless they know their status‚” he said.

The party also entreated “all men who have not undergone circumcision to do so as it reduces the risk of acquiring HIV/Aids infection by 60%.”