President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of government, extends a warm welcome to all international delegates to the important International AIDS Conference which will take place in Durban, eThekwini Municipality from Monday 18 July 2016 to Friday 22 July 2016.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Chairperson of the South African National Aids Council, (SANAC), will officially open the conference tomorrow evening, 18 July, and will officiate at the conference on behalf of government and the partnership against AIDS as a whole in the country.
“We are pleased that the international community has chosen our country to host this conference again. We welcome the United Nations Secretary-General Mr Ban Ki Moon and the former Heads of State and Government in SADC who are champions of the fight against AIDS. We are also pleased to hold several international leaders in the entertainment, business, labour and other fields who are joining governments to take stock and further advance the fight against HIV and AIDS forward,’’ said the President.
The President said South Africa is also truly pleased to host the conference during this period when the country has been making progress in its response to the disease since the policy turnaround in 2009.
On 1 December 2009 President Zuma announced that the country would launch a massive campaign to mobilise all South Africans to get tested for HIV. The campaign resulted in more than 20 million people being tested. He announced the following measures as well;
- All children under one year of age will get treatment if they test positive in order to reduce infant mortality over time. Indeed the rate of mother to child transmission of the virus has been drastically reduced.
- All patients with both TB and HIV will get treatment with anti-retrovirals if their CD4 count is 350 or less. The treatment then was available when the CD4 count was less than 200.
- He announced that TB and HIV/Aids would be treated under one roof. The purpose was to address early reported deaths arising from undetected TB infection among those who are infected with HIV. This step was taken because approximately 1% of our population had TB and that the co-infection between TB and HIV was 73%.
- All pregnant HIV positive women with a CD4 count of 350 or with symptoms regardless of CD4 count would have access to treatment. At that time, HIV positive pregnant women were eligible for treatment if their CD4 count was less than 200.
- All other pregnant women not falling into this category, but who are HIV positive, would be put on treatment at fourteen weeks of pregnancy to protect the baby. In the past this was only started during the last term of pregnancy.
These interventions and further work done over the years have yielded results.
The quality of life of people living with HIV has improved dramatically since this policy turnaround in 2009. HIV positive persons are living longer and lead healthier lives, thanks to wider access to treatment. South Africa has significantly reduced the mother-to-child transmission of HIV, thus ensuring healthier babies.
More work still needs to be done to take the campaign forward. Government recently launched Phila, a massive HIV prevention campaign targeted primarily at young women and girls.
A focus on HIV prevention is important for the country, towards the goal of an HIV-free generation.
The President has also noted with appreciation, the positive and constructive working relationship and cooperation that exists between local stakeholders in the fight against AIDS, under the auspices of SANAC.
“This patriotic collaboration has contributed immensely to the progress that the country has scored, and also holds us in good stead as we continue waging the battle against HIV, AIDS and TB,’’ said President Zuma.
The President also extended his gratitude to the United Nations AIDS programme, UNAIDS, for the support provided to South Africa in this crucial battle. Such support has contributed to the progress that the country has made.
The South African delegation, under the leadership of the Deputy President, will share lessons from the progress made, and also learn from other delegations on what they could be doing better.
“More importantly, the conference begins on Nelson Mandela Day. It provides an opportunity to pay tribute to Madiba for the role he played in advancing the fight against AIDS and promoting care and support for those infected and affected. We wish local and international delegates a successful AIDS 2016 Conference’’, said President Zuma.
Enquiries:
Dr Bongani Ngqulunga
Cell: 082 308 9373
E-mail: bongani@presidency.gov.za
