Ground breaking measures launched in 2010 by State President Jacob Zuma to fight HIV and AIDS through testing, treatment and support will receive a boost as more than 3 000 workers of Eskom's newly built Kusile power station are expected to partake on week-long HIV intensified testing campaign.
State Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe and Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi will lead the Health Counseling and Testing (HCT) campaign at the construction site of Kusile power station in Mpumalanga province on 2 March 2012.
Minister of Public Enterprise, Mr Malusi Gigaba and Mpumalanga MEC for Health and Social Development will also attend. Representing Eskom will be Chief Executive Officer, Mr Brian Dames
The five day HIV testing campaign, starting from 27 February to 2 March 2012, is part of a partnership between the Department of Health and power utility Eskom. The department has partnerships with many other private sector institutions.
The national HCT campaign was launched in 2010 and had a target of getting 15 million South Africans to know their HIV status by June 2011. More than 17 million people have been tested for HIV and more than eight million were screened for TB.
Media reporters are therefore invited to attend the HIV testing event scheduled as follows:
Venue: Eskom Kusile Power Station, Kendal, Mpumalanga Province (90 km away from Pretoria)
Date: 2 March 2012
Time: 09h00 – 12h00
NB: Interested media reporters are advised to confirm their attendance for site accreditation purposes. As per Eskom power station policies, media reporters will be expected to register on site equipments they would have brought along. The programme for 2 March 2012 will be released on Monday, 27 February 2012.
Additional information can be obtained from:
Vukani Mnyandu
Cell: 083 923 0261
Fidel Hadebe
Cell: 079 517 3333
