Zambia National Voluntary & Counselling Testing (VCT) Day

Every year on the 30^th of June, Zambia has a national day, Voluntary & Counselling Testing Day or VCT Day as it is better known here.

The purpose of VCT Day is to raise awareness and encourage Zambians to get themselves tested for HIV. This year’s theme was “Get tested today, Get tested together”, encouraging couples to get counselled and tested as a couple.

My organisation's banner for VCT Day

Mike and I as we waited for the march to begin; it started
about 1.5 hours later than scheduled! 

This was the first VCT Day I have participated in since being in Zambia, so I was curious to see how much it differed from the events that take place on World AIDS Day. The answer to that was not much.

Marchers lined up along Mosi-Oa-Tunya Road

The local VCT Day event in Livingstone was bit more low key than what was done for World AIDS Day. However we still had a march through the main street, the marching band and the long speeches. What is most disappointing about it all however is that like World AIDS Day, the people who attend and participate in the event are already aware about the issue; it’s kind of like preaching to the converted.

Women from Self Help Groups dressed in matching chitenge for the
VCT Day March

Me walking in the VCT Day March

Traditional dancers preforming at the main event

 Nonetheless, intentions are good and it provided a good opportunity to set up the testing tents for public display. I don’t think anyone actually got tested on the day in Livingstone at least, (Zambian’s are very discreet people, especially when it comes to the subject of HIV/ AIDS) however it hopefully plants the idea in people’s minds.

"New Start" testing tents

This year my organisation had a display tent at the event, the first time for quite a while. The display looked great and I was very pleased with the effort made on the posters I had asked them to do for the different projects. 

My organisation's tent for VCT Day

The Livingstone District Commissioner and accompanying party taking a
look at our stand and discussing the various programmes on offer

Information on offer

Also impressive was the turnout we received from our Self Help Group women. All up there was about 40 women from the different groups and they came dressed in matching chitenge for the event, very effective during the march. We were also able to display some of the goods they had produced as a part of our display, which was a nice touch.

Poster for Self Help Group for Women Programme

Women from Self Help Groups and the team

 So, that was my first VCT Day. I think for a brief moment the day may raise some awareness on the importance of getting tested ,however it would be good to see event organisers find ways to draw members of the community into the event and increase their involvement. I think it would also be symbolic for local and national leaders to “lead the way” and get tested as an example to others. But I won’t hold my breath on that one!