On Wednesday, 1 December, Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Ntombi Mekgwe will join hundreds of Sedibeng residents in commemorating World AIDS Day at Saul Tsotetsi Hall in Sebokeng.
Accompanied by Mayor for Sedibeng District Council, Mahole Mofokeng, MEC Mekgwe will outline progress made on HIV prevention, treatment and support in Gauteng as well as encourage the community to know their health status.
In the province, new HIV infections have been reduced by more than half in babies through prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). In teenagers and women under 25 years, new HIV infections have been halved due to increased safe sex behaviours: some reduction in sex partners, high condom use and HIV testing.
Since the launch of the HIV Counselling and Testing Campaign in April 2010, more than 900 000 people have tested in Gauteng and over 80% of these people tested HIV negative. For those who test HIV positive, follow-up assessment and counselling is arranged. Those who require TB treatment or ARV’s are also put on treatment immediately to prolong their lives.
Currently, 330 692 people are on anti-retroviral treatment in Gauteng. The TB cure rate has increased steadily to 81% despite an increased TB case load due to the HIV epidemic.
To encourage people to maintain their negative status and encourage those infected with HIV to live a healthy lifestyle, the department’s health workers are educating communities about the importance of knowing one’s health status, practising safe sex, healthy eating and exercise amongst other things at clinics, hospitals, shopping malls, sports events, hostels, informal settlements and workplaces.
At the event, people will have an opportunity to test for HIV and other chronic illnesses such as diabetes and blood pressure.
Details of the event are as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Time: 10h00
Venue: Saul Tsotetsi Hall, Sebokeng
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
Simon Zwane
Cell: 082 551 9892
