Mr Seaparo Sekoati, on the occasion of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Week, Capricorn
13 February 2007
Programme Director
Executive Mayor of Capricorn District
Mayor and Councillors from the Local Municipalities
District Manager
Government officials present
Ladies and gentlemen
The government is delighted to be running this programme in partnership with
communities. It is in the interest of government, every citizen of the country
to have a society that is free from STIs including HIV/AIDS. Let us therefore
stop STIs and "Keep the Promise." As government we have been in the process of
pushing the frontiers of poverty since 1994 and the fight against HIV/AIDS and
STIs cannot be divorced from this struggle.
Let us all take responsibility for our own sexual health and wellness
through early detection and treatment of STIs. This is the message the
Department of Health and Social Development is bringing to all the districts.
In the previous years we held one provincial event and this year we have
decided to stage events in all districts with the aim of reaching as many
people as possible. We hope that in future we will have this kind of events in
all municipalities in the province.
For those who might not be aware, STIs or Sexual Transmitted Infections are
infections caused by micro-organisms that are passed from one person to another
during sexual intercourse. We are all involved in this kind of activity and it
is therefore vital for all of us to have open discussions about STIs in public
gatherings, be it in schools, churches, kgorong, in building societies,
funerals etc. This kind of engagement will assist those who are infected but
are afraid to come out. We need to stop stigmatising the disease by publicly
speaking about the symptoms and management of STIs including HIV.
Once a person suspects that he or she has been infected by STIs, go to your
nearest clinic or consult your doctor. If it is confirmed that you are infected
with STIs, get treatment and immediately notify your partner or whoever you
have had sexual intercourse in the last 8 weeks, so that they get treated even
if they might not be infected. By so doing you would have acted and conducted
yourself in a very responsible manner. By so doing you could have helped
minimise the complications that could have been caused by STIs if not treated,
and you could have helped in interrupting the transmission of STIs.
When notifying our partner at the early stages of the infection, it could
also help infected people to receive counselling so that we reduce the risky
sexual behaviours. Be cautious when notifying your partners, act carefully and
responsibly in a way that it does not alienate your partner. We should avoid
starting by accusing them because they might want to deny having been infected.
To our healthcare professionals, we must at all times remember to respect the
human rights and dignity of people infected with STIs and their partners. We
need to treat and manage STIs and HIV/AIDS in the context of Primary Health
Care. The principles of Batho Pele apply to people infected with STIs. The
process of treatment and notification should be confidential.
Let us continue with our commitment to champion the struggle to help change
the behaviour of people in our communities. We have made achievements since the
beginning of this programme and we should continue working in partnership with
communities. Our approach remains that of building a constructive partnership
between the communities at risk, the healthcare providers and government
agencies. The month of February is also regarded as the Reproductive Month, in
celebrating this precious gift from God; we should avoid acting recklessly by
neglecting our sexual health. Each year on the 14 February we also celebrate
Valentine's Day and this year we call of you to commit yourselves to the
prevention of STIs whilst celebrating this day. With the consistent use of
condoms we can prevent STIs including HIV and unwanted pregnancies. Condoms,
including female condoms are available at all our healthcare centres.
Issued by: Department of Health, Limpopo Provincial Government
13 February 2007
Source: Limpopo Provincial Government, (http://www.limpopo.gov.za)
