Lerato Mailoane
Gauteng MEC for Health Nomantu Nkomo Ralehoko has called on the public to end all forms of inequalities that hinder access to HIV, TB and STI-related treatment, care, and support.
Addressing this year’s, World Aids Day MEC Ralehoko commended the role government has played in ensuring that 96% of people living with HIV/Aids know their status and are receiving the necessary support to fight the disease.
“The province has seen a steady increase in the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) as the number of people dying from AIDS-related illnesses has also declined. Currently, there are 1.81 million people living with HIV.
She further thanked and called on civil society organisations to continue to play their part in ensuring that government achieves the ambitious targets set in the Gauteng Provincial Implementation Plan (PIP) on HIV, TB and STIs (2023-2028).
She said there is also a need for strengthened governance structures, that is, functional AIDS Councils at all levels, provincial, district and local levels.
“We need strong collaboration and partnership between all spheres of government, civil society sectors, and the private sector.
“Strong AIDS Councils lead to strengthened HIV, TB & STI partnership and collaboration efforts for improved service delivery to our communities.”
The MEC said the province has seen a decrease in new HIV/Aids infections, but new infections remain high, and the pace of reduction is very slow.
“If we continue at the current pace, we will most likely not meet our National Strategic Plan or Gauteng Provincial Implementation Plan targets.”
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) survey findings show that social and structural drivers such as multiple and concurrent partnerships, low condom usage, high early sexual debut among young people and gender-based violence remain some of our challenges.
Nkomo Ralehoko said government has endorsed the Gauteng Provincial Implementation Plan (PIP) on HIV, TB & STIs (2023-2028), which is a roadmap towards addressing the challenges related to retention to care for HIV and TB clients as well as social and structural drivers identified in the HSRC survey 2022.
She further urged the public to continue to forge strong partnerships for improved access to HIV, TB & STI services, especially among the key and priority population within our Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH) areas.
“Let us continue to pull out all the stops in our determination to strive for a HIV free generation. Working together as partners, we can do more to translate this dream into reality.”
SOURCED FROM THE GPG WEBSITE.
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