The Honourable Premier of the Northern Cape province, Ms Hazel Jenkins and the MEC of Health in province, Mr Mxolisi Sokatsha, hereby cordially invite all media to the officially launch of the provincial HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign at Tshwaragano hospital, Ga-Segonyana local municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe district
On World AIDS day, 1 December 2009, the President, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma announced new mandates to address the HIV epidemic in South Africa. One of these is the mass HIV Counselling and Testing Campaign to be implemented as from April 2010. This announcement came in line with the key goals of the national strategic plan (NSP) for HIV and AIDS 2007 to 2011, which are:
- to reduce the number of new infections (especially among young people in the 15 to 24 age group)
- to reduce the impact of HIV and AIDS on individuals, families, communities and society.
The HIV Counselling and Testing campaign is launched under the theme: "I am responsible, We are responsible, South Africa is Taking Responsibility". This theme will be sustained during 2010/11.
The objectives of the campaign are:
- Massively increase the number of HIV tests done
- To mobilise people to know their status and link to treatment, care and support
- Through key HIV prevention messages, encourage people to take proactive steps to towards living a healthy lifestyle irrespective of their HIV or tuberculosis (TB) status
- To facilitate the joint integrated management of TB and HIV
Other dignitaries expected to accompany the premier are the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of the Northern Cape provincial legislature, chairperson and members of the provincial Portfolio Committee on Health, Members of the Executive Council (MECs), executive mayors, mayors and counsellors from district and local municipalities across the province, as well as senior officials from the provincial and district Departments of Health.
Details for the event are as follows:
Date: Friday, 30 April 2010
Venue: Tshwaragano hospital, Ga-Segonyana local municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe district
Time: 10h00
Enquiries:
Andrid F Scholtz
Tel: 053 830 2000
Cell: 082 447 9696
Fax: 053 833 1925
E-mail: ascholtz@ncpg.gov.za
