As part of the national commemoration of the World AIDS Day, the Minister of Social Development Ms Bathabile Dlamini and MEC for Social Development in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Dr Meshack Radebe will launch the maternal orphans surveillance study.
The details are as follows:
Date: 2 December 2010
Venue: Nquthu-Umzinyathi District Municipality (KwaZulu-Natal)
Time: 9h00-15h00
“Through the launch of this study, government departments will be able to monitor the well-being of orphans and vulnerable children by ensuring that they receive targeted and integrated services. We will work together with other government departments and community based organisations, particularly in the areas where the study has identified a high number of orphans and vulnerable children to provide comprehensive services to such children including education, health services as well as protecting them from any form of abuse, neglect and exploitation” said Minister Dlamini.
Data from the study indicates that of the total number of maternal orphans that emerged between 2003 and 2008, a larger proportion are in KwaZulu-Natal (estimated at 199 364) followed by Gauteng and Eastern Cape estimated at 132 000 and 126 574 respectively. The Northern Cape had the lowest number of maternal orphans at 21 845 followed by the Western Cape at 34 114.
“Although the number of maternal orphans appears to be increasing by each calendar year, it is important to note that the rate of increase has leveled or is slowing down. We expect the number of maternal orphans to decrease as a result of government interventions such as the expansion of access to anti-retroviral treatment for people living with HIV and AIDS, among others” said MEC Meshack Radebe.
The media is invited to cover the event.
For Media RSVP contact:
Jaconia Kobue
Cell: 073 026 1111
Sifiso Buthelezi
Cell: 082 328 0016
For media enquiries:
Abram Phahlamohlaka
Cell: 082 928 6590
