Today, the Head of Department (HOD) for Health, Dr Sibongile Zungu, presented a state of HIV infection in the province at a Partnership Conference called by the Office of the Premier held in Durban.
The conference is attended by His Majesty, King Goodwill Zwelithini ka Bhekuzulu, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Dr Zweli Mkhize, Members of the Executive Council as well as leaders in various sectors.
The HOD made the presentation at the conference which highlighted the following:
- KwaZulu-Natal has the highest HIV prevalence in South Africa and accounts for 28% of South African HIV infection
- The province also has the highest tuberculosis (TB) disease burden
- More than 70% of medical admissions are HIV related
- Five districts have an HIV prevalence of more than 40% and these are eThekwini, Ugu, uMgungundlovu and uThungulu
- People between the ages of 20 to 24 years continue to be the highest infected by the virus and women are infected at their prime age of 20 to 24 years whereas their male counter parts are infected later at 25 to 29 years
- The amounts of money committed to fighting HIV have been growing over the years with more than R2 billion allocated in the current financial year
- Province has achieved 66% of its target in five months with Ugu district having achieved 102% so far whilst other districts range between 48 to 70% of their targets
- A total of 10 229 MMC have been conducted since April 2010 and the target for 2010/11 is 372 754
- 345 604 people are on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy which makes the province to have the largest programme.
Concluding the presentation, the HOD said: "The road ahead of us demands that we work together in an aggressive and integrated manner in the fight against TB, HIV and AIDS. This can only be achieved through the flagship programme which is pioneered by our Honourable Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize.
"It is important that all sectors rally around all efforts aimed at combating TB, HIV and AIDS including poverty alleviation to improve the livelihood of the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
"As we celebrate our partnership let us remember that HIV and TB is one of the factors that continue to cement and strengthen our partnership as warriors against TB, HIV and AIDS".
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