Central SA
Free State reiterates commitment to fight HIV/AIDS─── LUCKY NKUYANE 09:10 Sat, 03 Dec 2022
The Free State Department of Health has reiterated that it has been working hard to ensure all people affected or infected with HIV/AIDS are integrated, and that there is equality.
The departmental spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, tells OFM News that the efforts to end the pandemic are not only attended to or done each year on 1 December, contrary to what critics have been saying.
He says the department has made sure that this becomes an effort that is consistent throughout the year.
Mvambi says the department is also strengthening health promotion which makes sure that officials go out throughout the year to small, far-flung communities to educate and raise awareness about diseases.
On Thursday 1 December, World AIDS Day was commemorated in Bloemfontein with dignitaries such as Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, Co-chair of SA Aids Council, Steve Letsike and Premier Sisi Ntombela, among others, addressing the event.
ALSO READ: Free State to host World Aids Day in Mangaung
“Along the way, we are getting champions that are becoming converted as they run programs on our behalf, and we thank civil society and [the] private sector for running their efforts in this because [it] had been government alone, we would be overwhelmed,” Mvambi adds.
On Thursday during his address at Dr. Petrus Molemela stadium in Rocklands in Mangaung, Minister Phaahla praised the Free State for doing exceptionally well in terms of testing, having already surpassed the 94 per cent threshold.
ALSO READ: World Aids Day: Health Minister praises Free State for HIV testing
"But it is concerning that three of the province's districts don't meet the goal of increasing the number of people who know their status and get treatment.
"Furthermore, results from the districts of Xhariep and Lejweleputswa demonstrate that people with HIV and on treatment fare poorly on the target of being virally suppressed."
Phaahla also mentioned that in 2021, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and the Free State had the highest HIV prevalence rates, with 18.3%, 15.9%, and 14.8%, respectively.
The Western Cape had the lowest rate at 8.3%, followed by the Northern Cape at 10%.
OFM News previously reported that the estimations suggest that the country records 150 new cases daily among young people between the ages of 15 and 24.
