The Eastern Cape Department of Health supported the 2009 World AIDS Day commemoration held at Tshungwana location, Mt Frere in the Alfred Nzo district on 1 December 2009.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared in 1988 that 1 December will be the International World AIDS Day honouring the people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS with the aim of increasing awareness, education and fighting prejudice against people living with HIV and AIDS.
The objectives of the 2009 World AIDS Day was to send a clear and bold statement of the commitment of government, civil society and the private sector about the HIV and AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) national strategic plan 2007 to 2011, to mobilise South Africans to acknowledge their role and responsibility in the spread of the virus, by demonstrating leadership from key political and social leaders and to know their HIV status.
According to United Nations Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) estimates, there are now 33,4 million people living with HIV, including 2,1 million children. During 2008, 2,7 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated two million people died from AIDS. Around half of all the people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35. Since 2002, the number of Africans receiving antiretrovirals treatment has gone from 50 000 to over three million but 2,7 million people are still newly infected with HIV every year.
Currently, the Eastern Cape Department of Health is running the following HIV and AIDS programmes, voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT), post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), sexually transmitted infections, high transmission area (HTA), antiretroviral treatment (ART), home based care, step down care, nongovernmental organisations (NGO) funding, marketing and social mobilisation.
The commemoration event held in Mt Frere started with a youth programme and a church service where the community of Tshungwana and surrounding areas were educated about HIV and AIDS. In partnership with the Department of Transport, a road show was also held where health professionals and community health workers educated motorists on HIV and AIDS and tuberculosis (TB).
Door to door campaigns were also conducted to identify extra destitute homes and about 165 homes were identified around Matatiele, Mzimvubu, Mt Frere and Mt Ayliff areas. The identified families were given food parcels donated by South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).
Among the dignitaries who were present at the commemoration event were, Eastern Cape Premier Ms Noxolo Kiviet, MECs from various departments, chief whips, representatives from the Council of Churches and traditional leaders.
Addressing the crowds at the event, the Eastern Cape Premier, Ms Noxolo Kiviet advised people to get tested and know their HIV status. She also mentioned that everyone should take responsibility for their health. She further encouraged parents to educate their children about HIV and AIDS.
The Health Department rendered health services like VCT, TB screening, diabetes testing, blood pressure testing, child immunisations, family planning and minor ailments on site during the event.
While encouraging the people to get tested, the Honourable Premier led by example and got herself tested for HIV as well. This emphasised the significance of the theme: “’ am responsible, We are responsible, South Africa is responsible’, which sensitises every individual, family and community to take responsibility towards HIV and AIDS.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
4 December 2009
Source: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za/)