Dr Gwen Ramokgopa gives a farm HCT campaign thumps-up

Deputy Minister of Health Dr Gwen Ramokgopa has commended the South Africans for heeding to the call by President Jacob Zuma to undergo HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT).

Speaking at the HCT campaign at ZZ2 farms, near Mooketsi on Sunday, Ramokgopa said a total of 14 million South Africans have tested for HIV to make the country the number one in the world.

At ZZ2 farms, a total of 840 people were counselled for HIV and 813 went on to test for HIV, 645 people were screened for TB, 75 for Blood Pressure, 75 for blood sugar and 53 for PAP smear during the campaign yesterday.

"We want to commend the South Africans for taking a responsible step of testing to know their health status. Through the testing we were able to reduce the mother to child transmission from 8% to 3,8% this year. Our wish is that by June next year no unborn child should be infected, this to be in line with our 'Zero transmission rate", Ramokgopa said.

We are calling on all the South Africans to join forces with us in a fight against HIV by being responsible for their lives.

Limpopo MEC for Health and Social Development, Mme Dikeledi Magadzi commended the owners of ZZ2 farms for working together with the department to ensure that the standard of health of their employees improves.

"We are happy that Van Zyl family accepted us to launch the HCT in their farms and also assist us with other logistics like transporting the employees to and from the event. As government we will avail funds for medication to ensure that we win the battle against HIV. We will continue give farmer workers all the needed services. We are calling on all the South Africans to be responsible and test to know their health status," said Magadzi.

ZZ2 Chief Executive Officer Tom van Zyl said they have created a conducive working environment for the employees by availing health services to them.

"We are ready to assist the employees to know their health status to ensure that their health is restored especially in the HIV area," Van Zyl said.

Limpopo is the first province to launch and intensify the HCT campaign in farms with Schoeman Boerdery in Marble Hall being the first farm to embrace the campaign followed by ZZ2 farms in Mooketsi.

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Joe Maila
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