Future generation must inherit HIV free society – Premier Mahumapelo
Bokone-Bophirima Premier Supra Mahumapelo has urged delegates who attended the two-day Provincial Implementation Plan (PIP) 2017– 2022 Summit on HIV, TB and STIs to think deeper and ponder strategies that will enable the province to respond positively to the National Development Plan’s objective of increasing the life expectancy.
Mahumapelo said the provincial plan must provide direction on how the province’s HIV negative citizens will remain negative forever, and how the condition of those HIV positive will be befittingly managed.
Mahumapelo said this yesterday, 9 March 2017, while addressing more than 200 delegates attending the summit held at Rustenburg Civic Centre.
The two-day summit which ended today, was attended by amongst others, MEC for Health Dr Magome Masike, the Executive Mayor of Bojanala Platinum District Municipality Cllr Fetsang Mokati, Executive Mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality Cllr Mpho Khunou, the province’s Director-General Dr Keneilwe Sebego, representatives from the South Africa National Aids Council (SANAC), Statistics South Africa, and health officials from within the provincial government.
“I urge all sectors involved to not tire from ensuring that we collectively respond to the challenges of HIV, TB and STIs, and mobilise the community, in particular the school going children, to be part of this strategy”.
“We owe it to the next generation to lead the fight against HIV, TB and STIs, tackle the pervasive problem of HIV stigma, eliminate mother-to-child transmission, create more interactive awareness, and make the dream of an AIDS free generation a reality”, stressed Premier Mahumapelo.
In revealing the provincial government’s plan aimed at building a healthier, happier and productive society, Premier Mahumapelo pronounced the introduction of a 10days monthly campaign the province will embark upon, which he said will amongst others, focus on creating health awareness to deal with obesity amongst young people and promoting the significance of a clean environment.
“The messages we must communicate to young people during these campaigns must guide them on how to conduct themselves with regards sexual activities, and help them to focus on their studies and future”, said Premier Mahumapelo adding that the establishment of Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal (RHR) forums with special focus on HIV and AIDS matters across the province’s Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies, will to a greater extent assist in monitoring and evaluating the impact of the province’s 2017 – 2022 HIV, TB and STIs Implementation Plan.
The summit discussed amongst others, on strategies for accelerating prevention measures to reduce new HIV, TB and STIs, addressing social and structural drivers of HIV, TB and STIs, promoting leadership and shared accountability for sustainable response to HIV, TB and STIs, and methods for mobilisation of resources to support the achievement of the goals of National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs.
The summit was coordinated by Office of the Premier in line with the objectives of the province’s Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal (RHR) concrete.
Hosted in the context of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) on HIV, TB and STIs 2017-2022 Framework that was launched on the 1st of December 2016 by the Deputy President, the tangible outcome of this two-day summit was the development of a multi-sectorial Provincial Implementation Plan for the HIV, TB and STIs response, which is aligned to the NSP (2017-2022).
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E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
