7 November 2006
The Ministry of Health would like to announce that a tender for the
implementation of the Government AIDS communication programme � Khomanani - has
been advertised in the Tender Bulletin.
The bidders have until 1 December, 2006 to submit their proposals for the
tender that will cover the period from 2006-2009 financial years.
Khomanani was acknowledged yesterday as one of the AIDS awareness campaigns
that are having an effect in modifying sexual behaviour during the release of
the findings of the first South African HIV and AIDS communication survey for
2006.
The outcomes of this survey comes at an opportune time as the Department of
Health is in the process of finalising the Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS and
STIs for the period 2007 � 2011, which will be unveiled on World AIDS Day (1
December).
The winning service providers for the Khomanani tender will provide
communication support for the implementation of this revised Plan. The Plan is
aimed at guiding the country's efforts to reduce the number of new HIV
infections and to minimise the impact of HIV and AIDS on individuals, families,
communities and society.
The Plan will guide the country's response to HIV, AIDS and STI control in a
manner that ensures continuity of previous strategies, while introducing
additional interventions required to keep up with recent advances in
knowledge.
The HIV prevalence profile, as demonstrated in latest Report on the National
HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-prevalence Survey in South Africa, continues to
confirm the expectation and projections of numerous groups whose models suggest
that South Africa will begin to see a decline in the prevalence of HIV.
Several studies conducted over the years show that intervention programmes,
which emphasise prevention have a very important role in moderating HIV
prevalence and the epidemiology of HIV infections in general.
The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to work together with all
sectors of our society to strengthen HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and
care programmes as a means to curb the spread of HIV infection, and reduce the
impact of AIDS on our society.
The prospective bidders are invited to a compulsory briefing session on 17
November, 2006.
Issued by: Department of Health
7 November 2006
