P Mlambo-Ngcuka: World AIDS Day

1 December 2007

Theme: 'Stop HIV and AIDS - Keep the Promise'

Programme Director
Honourable Minister of Health, Tshabalala-Msimang
Premier of Limpopo Province, honourable Sello Moloto
Cabinet Ministers
MECs
MEC for Health in the province, Seaparo Sekoati
Mayors
Councillors
Sanac Representative
All activists and people living with AIDS
Ladies and gentlemen

I welcome you once again to the World AIDS Day. Today we mark the 19th year
since the establishment of World AIDS Day by the World Health Organisation
(WHO) in 1988. The first of December is the calendar day on which the world
recommits to the fight against HIV and AIDS and related illnesses.

Today, I speak with more conviction, encouraged by the commitment
demonstrated by the majority of South Africans in ensuring that the country
responds appropriately to the HIV and AIDS epidemic. I am encouraged by the
data from our annual surveillance that was reported by the Health Department in
August 2007, suggesting this epidemic is stabilising.

But I also know and you know we still have a very big challenge. While the
challenge is huge, one gets the sense that there are more things that we are
doing right. There is in the country a spirit of working together, and that
puts even more responsibility on us as leaders to ensure that we ride this
crest for even better outcomes regarding HIV and AIDS, Sexually Transmitted
Infections and other opportunistic infections.

Unity has been the essential element of this positive 'psyche.' But we
cannot take each other for granted. I am convinced that the South African
society is a formidable, united force against one of its major enemies, HIV and
AIDS. I am grateful to our partners for going all the way with us on this
difficult road. But we cannot just get cosy, we must work and we must get
results.

At our last South African National AIDS Council (Sanac) meeting we received
progress reports on the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on HIV
and AIDS 2007 to 2011 from business, civil society and government sectors
constituting Sanac. The sectors reported progress on the implementation of
programmes and mobilisation for active participation in their sectors. In
particular campaigns to encourage people to test for HIV and know their HIV
status, as well as campaigns to popularise the National Strategic Plan (NSP)
are becoming widespread. And greater emphasis on prevention! All of us must and
can do more to campaign for prevention. Some sectors reported meetings with
various Provincial AIDS Councils. The faith based sector has extended
participation in implementing the NSP to a wider range of faiths.

Similarly, the business sector reported good progress on the implementation
of the NSP including the sharing of good practice with respect to support to
employees and their families and advances towards closer working relationships
with the medical aid companies in plans to extend access to treatment.
Government's report highlighted the intervention programmes within the public
sector ranging from employee assistance programmes to grants in support of
child-headed families and vulnerable children. HIV and AIDS pose a real risk to
the hard-earned gains of our new democracy. It is quite appropriate that the
theme of the event is carried forward form 2006: 'to stop HIV and AIDS by
keeping the promise.' The emphasis has to be on 'stop.'

This is a promise that we have to keep until there is convincing evidence
that there are:
* rarely, any new HIV infections
* that almost all adults in the country know their HIV status
* that all those who have TB have been diagnosed and are receiving
treatment
* that children and adults who require antiretroviral therapy and other
treatment have access to it
* and that communities are taking responsibility for the provision of home- and
facility–based care and support activities.

We have to keep the promise:

* until more HIV positive people live longer, healthier lives and continue
to contribute to and benefit from the growing economy of the country,
* until we reduce the burden on households and parents live long enough to see
their children become responsible adults in society,
* until the packed graveyards that have become a regular feature during
weekends are no more.

Together, we can do it. We already have the biggest programme by any
government in the world. We just need to be more efficient and follow up in all
we do as government, professionals, and experts and as households, families,
communities and churches. We must take greater and convincing responsibility.
Today, we are here to renew our pledge to work together to convincingly turn
the tide of this pandemic.

We are here to tell you:

* that as government, we care
* that as health professionals, we commit to service
* that as activists, we commit to support and protection.

I would like to express my appreciation for the work we have done as
partners in the Sanac. Great strides are being taken in making Sanac a true
partnership between government and civil society – with all partners exploiting
fully their comparative advantages for a meaningful contribution to the fight
against HIV and AIDS.

As we speak, we have several tangible outputs from our public health system
of which we are proud. We are happy that:

* more than two million people have used the voluntary counselling and
testing services available in four thousand one hundred and eighty nine (4 189)
clinics around the country by November 2007
* more than four hundred and twenty five million (425 million) condoms are
being distributed annually
* ninety four percent (94%) of clinics offer services to reduce the risk of
mother to child transmission of HIV
* three hundred and forty five (345) sites are now offering Anti-Retroviral
Treatment (ART) to those who need it
* three hundred and seventy thousand people (370 000) have been enrolled for
Anti-Retroviral Treatment in the public sector alone.

We must do more about our communication, and visibility of our common
programme and monetary and evaluation of our work. We must promote campaigns
and programmes together, and even more urgently we need joint actions on the
matter of prevention, which has to be escalated. I feel we can do much more
here. Remember, only you and I can stop the disease. If positive do not infect
others and re-infect yourself. If you are HIV negative, please do not get HIV.
On 25 of November 2007, when the 16 Days of Activism against violence on women
and children was launched, thousands of men and boys marched and committed
themselves not to abuse women and children. This is a laudable step by these
men. I want to challenge those good men, boys and women who do not do anything
in the fight against these abuses. Your quietness makes you culpable.

When you hear and know of anyone whether a child or woman that is being
abused and you do nothing or do not report that to authorities, you are equally
culpable. Our men should assist us in the fight against violence and their
voice should be loud on these matters. That campaign is fighting a social ill
that links gender violence and HIV infection, making both women and children
vulnerable to the disease. I call upon our communities to work with the
criminal justice system to protect and create justice for women and
children.

All of the six provinces visited have done work towards the popularisation
of the NSP in the Provincial Councils on AIDS, Executive management, with
district managers, local authorities and other partners. Most have draft
Provincial Strategic Plans with clear targets that seek both to guide the
provincial multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS response and to contribute in a
practical way, to the national aspiration of the NSP. Some have conducted large
conferences where the NSP was presented.

Most of these provinces have restructured their councils to align with
Sanac. HIV and AIDS programmes are implemented with greater vigour. We also
mark World Aids Day during the 16 days of activism for no violence against
women and children. Research tells us that violent crimes against women and
children also add to the increase in numbers of people infected with HIV and
AIDS. It is deplorable that women and children continue to live in fear in a
free South Africa.

During the 16 days campaign against violence on women and children, our men
should play a role in reducing the chances of sexual assault on women and end
it not only during this period but in all 365 days of the year. I want to thank
care givers who work under extremely hard conditions. Civil society
organisations, the secretariat, staff, the Minister of Health and all other
ministers.

I thank you

Issued by: The Presidency
1 December 2007
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)