More than 300 residents in two hostels in Ekurhuleni were tested for HIV during the Gauteng HIV counselling and testing campaign today.
The Gauteng Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu launched the campaign in Kwesine and Thokoza hostels. The campaign is part of the national HCT campaign launched in April this year to get people to know their status.
During the campaign, MEC Mahlangu, who was accompanied by MMC for Health in Ekurhuleni, Makhosazane Maluleke and other political leaders in the area, interacted with hostel residents about the importance of knowing their status and using protection each time they engage in sex.
Mahlangu also encourage young males to get circumcised to minimise the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
In addition to encouraging the residents to know their health status, Mahlangu also assessed health and social needs of the residents.
Over 700 000 people have tested for HIV in Gauteng since the launch of the campaign.
Following the launch, all public health facilities in the province provide a free walk-in service for health screening and HCT.
In an effort to further increase the number of people in the province who know their health status and to reach the provinces target of 3.3 million people by June 2011, Gauteng has employed the use of mobile HCT services which visit shopping malls, informal settlements, taxi ranks, community gatherings as well as rural parts of the province where health facilities are not easily accessible.
In association with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other community organisations, the department also takes advantage of any opportunity to encourage people especially the youth to lead healthy lifestyles and know their status.
The purpose of the campaign is to diagnose HIV, tuberculosis (TB), diabetes and high blood pressure at an early stage in order to get people onto treatment in time. Early treatment reduces unnecessary deaths especially from TB and AIDS.
To improve the lives of Gauteng citizens, the department has increased the number of antiretroviral (ARV) sites. So far the life saving treatment has been available in all hospitals, community health centres and most clinics.
Currently, more than 303 000 (including 22 830 children) patients are currently on treatment in the province. More than one million patients have been assessed and will gradually be brought into the treatment programme when they reach treatment requirements.
The campaign will be moving to other hostels in the province at the end of this month.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
MEC Mahlangu takes HIV counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign to hostels
Province
