Date: 21/03/2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Human Rights Day
EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ADDRESSING CARE-GIVERS, RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND CHILDREN INFECTED OR AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS, AT LEEUWENHOF, ON NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, 21 March 2003
In terms of human rights, the right to life entails the right for every child to have the chance to grow and develop to the best of his or her potential, and to live healthy, safe and happy lives. The threat of HIV/AIDS especially to children is without doubt the single biggest obstacle to ensuring that these rights are protected for the children of South Africa and the Western Cape.
National Human Rights Day is often used as an opportunity to point out exactly which challenges remain in South Africa when it comes to promoting and supporting the rights set out in our National Constitution. It is far less often that we can make use of a day like this to announce a major achievement or success. It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce that as of today, Human Rights Day 2003; the Western Cape has officially achieved 100% coverage in our programme for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS.
This means that every pregnant woman attending public maternity services in our province and delivering their babies in public health delivery sites, now has access to this critical AIDS transmission prevention programme, and the life-saving anti-retroviral drugs Nevirapine or AZT, which are used to help prevent new-borns being infected with HIV/AIDS. Our PMTCT programme has saved and will continue to save the lives of thousands of babies who would otherwise be born HIV-positive.
The programme, originally started in January 2001, is likely to save 1620 babies per year. (1) In addition to the direct benefits of the programme there have been a number of other very positive spin-offs. One of these has been helping to remove the secrecy, which has surrounded HIV in many communities, with more than 47 000 women having been tested in the programme over the last year alone. From January to December 2002, more than 55 000 women made use of antenatal care, and 90,9% accepted voluntary counselling and testing. 12,7% tested HIV-positive. All 3 682 HIV-positive mothers who delivered their babies received Nevirapine or AZT, as well as 93,8% of their babies after delivery.
Another positive effect of the PMTCT programme is that it has brought together government, NGOs, health-care professionals, and the community in a united front in addressing this aspect of HIV/AIDS.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to the men and women who have made this achievement a reality, especially when so many cynics just a few years ago said it could not be done. To our Provincial Minister for Health, Piet Meyer, his Head of Department, Professor Househam, and to every doctor, nurse, manager, staff member and volunteer who has worked so hard to achieve this success our warmest thanks and congratulations. Your efforts continue to show why ours is the World Class Province, which Cares.
What we need to ensure now, is that this milestone has the greatest possible positive effects for our province. Not every pregnant woman in the Western Cape knows of this programme, and therefore not every baby is given the chance to benefit. We call on all mothers-to-be in the Western Cape to be tested, and to make use of this opportunity, which has now been universally provided in the province.
(1) Based on 70 000 deliveries and prevalence of 8.6%
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape
21 March 2003
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: Van Schalkwyk: Human Rights Day
EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH BY WESTERN CAPE PREMIER, MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK, ADDRESSING CARE-GIVERS, RELIGIOUS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND CHILDREN INFECTED OR AFFECTED BY HIV/AIDS, AT LEEUWENHOF, ON NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, 21 March 2003
In terms of human rights, the right to life entails the right for every child to have the chance to grow and develop to the best of his or her potential, and to live healthy, safe and happy lives. The threat of HIV/AIDS especially to children is without doubt the single biggest obstacle to ensuring that these rights are protected for the children of South Africa and the Western Cape.
National Human Rights Day is often used as an opportunity to point out exactly which challenges remain in South Africa when it comes to promoting and supporting the rights set out in our National Constitution. It is far less often that we can make use of a day like this to announce a major achievement or success. It therefore gives me great pleasure to announce that as of today, Human Rights Day 2003; the Western Cape has officially achieved 100% coverage in our programme for the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS.
This means that every pregnant woman attending public maternity services in our province and delivering their babies in public health delivery sites, now has access to this critical AIDS transmission prevention programme, and the life-saving anti-retroviral drugs Nevirapine or AZT, which are used to help prevent new-borns being infected with HIV/AIDS. Our PMTCT programme has saved and will continue to save the lives of thousands of babies who would otherwise be born HIV-positive.
The programme, originally started in January 2001, is likely to save 1620 babies per year. (1) In addition to the direct benefits of the programme there have been a number of other very positive spin-offs. One of these has been helping to remove the secrecy, which has surrounded HIV in many communities, with more than 47 000 women having been tested in the programme over the last year alone. From January to December 2002, more than 55 000 women made use of antenatal care, and 90,9% accepted voluntary counselling and testing. 12,7% tested HIV-positive. All 3 682 HIV-positive mothers who delivered their babies received Nevirapine or AZT, as well as 93,8% of their babies after delivery.
Another positive effect of the PMTCT programme is that it has brought together government, NGOs, health-care professionals, and the community in a united front in addressing this aspect of HIV/AIDS.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank and pay tribute to the men and women who have made this achievement a reality, especially when so many cynics just a few years ago said it could not be done. To our Provincial Minister for Health, Piet Meyer, his Head of Department, Professor Househam, and to every doctor, nurse, manager, staff member and volunteer who has worked so hard to achieve this success our warmest thanks and congratulations. Your efforts continue to show why ours is the World Class Province, which Cares.
What we need to ensure now, is that this milestone has the greatest possible positive effects for our province. Not every pregnant woman in the Western Cape knows of this programme, and therefore not every baby is given the chance to benefit. We call on all mothers-to-be in the Western Cape to be tested, and to make use of this opportunity, which has now been universally provided in the province.
(1) Based on 70 000 deliveries and prevalence of 8.6%
Enquiries: Riaan Aucamp on 083-778-9923
Issued by Office of the Premier, Western Cape
21 March 2003
Advertisement
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
