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On the World AIDS Day, the Deputy President Mr Kgalema Motlanthe and Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in their address to the nation in Mpumalanga tomorrow, will commend South Africans who have heeded the presidential call for action to stop the transmission of new infections by taking the simple step of taking a blood test to check for the presence of HIV infection in their bodies.
They will also reveal the much-waiting outcome of this campaign to get South Africans to test to gain knowledge about their HIV status - the knowledge that will profoundly make a difference in the prevention of new infections.
“Once people discover they are HIV-positive, we must prevent them from being lost to the health system, especially people with high CD4 counts. We must ensure that people who are eligible for treatment start treatment on time. We must also strengthen our positive prevention programmes. Similarly those who test negative must be supported to remain negative for the rest of their lives,” said the Minister of Health Dr Motsoaledi.
“We are sending a clear message that this is the way to tackle HIV and that it can be done in a way that respects human rights, a way that is based on people choosing to be tested and not being forced to, a way that avoids criminalisation and combats stigma,” adds, the Health Minister.
Therefore the theme for this year – “We are Responsible” - challenges all of us –
• to take a collective responsible to find those who are already infected by making sure that every South African takes an HIV test at least twice a year;
• that people who have cough of more than two weeks seek help from their nearest clinic to screen for TB;
• that every sexual active person takes protection against new infections and for prevention from infecting others by consistently using condoms;
• that every couple planning to have a baby if not already tested undertakes an HIV test to assess their status;
• that every pregnant women must with the first three must of pregnancy attend a clinic for testing and if positive take treatment before or at 14 weeks to prevent transmission of infection to their child;
• that every person who is HIV positive must be linked to care to prevent progression of disease by adopting positive living and if necessary gain access to treatment,.
“It is these measures that that will make a difference in reduce new infections, reducing early deaths related to AIDS, providing improved quality of life and save lives and offer productive life for many people living with HIV and reduce drastically the AIDs orphans and ensure adherence to treatment to provide many of those living with HIV and AIDs a long a healthy quality life,” said the Health Minister, on the eve of the World AIDS Day.