North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise is to launch a five-year Provincial Strategy to mitigate the 30% increase in HIV prevalence as part of this year’s World Aids Day commemoration. The unveiling of the plan intended to chart the roadmap towards the control and management of HIV and Aids, Sexually Transmitted infections (STI) and Tuberculosis (TB) is to be held as from 9h00 on Thursday 1 December 2011 at Boikhutso Location Sports Ground near Venterdorp.
According to the North West End term review Report of the National Strategic plan 2007-2011 on HIV and Aids, the province is characterised by nearly half a million HIV and positive people, the fourth largest in the country.
The report further states that the province experienced an increase in the HIV from 2% in 1990 to 30% in 2009.
The report indicated that the age mostly affected is between 15-19 years of age. The unmarried/single group in 2009 was the most affected group with the positivity rate of 64.5% and the second highest prevalence of 40.1% was of young women who have no children yet. Measuring the incidence rates, the province is found to be the second highest at the rate of 1, 91%.
A partnership campaign on the Provincial War on Poverty Programme to mitigate the social aspect impacting on HIV and Aids and the Skip-a-Meal Campaign will also form part of the launch co-hosted by the Provincial Council on Aids in partnership with the Department of Health, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality and Venterdorp local Municipality.
The commemoration to be held under the theme “Change begins with me and you when we take responsibility “will be preceded by service delivery mini jamboree at the Thusong Service Centre in Boikhutso Location where sector departments will offer their services ranging from application for identity documents, birth certificates, social grants etc.
The Department of Health will conduct health screening, dental services, HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) and a number of other services.
Other departments such as Labour, Justice and Water Affairs will also offer their services. Members of Executive Council, Members of the Provincial Council on Aids, Representatives of Faith based organisations, District and local Aids structures, NGO’s, donors, private sector and people living with HIV and Aids are expected to attend this event.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0140
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 0328
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
