Issued by: The Department of Health
Pretoria - The Department of Health, is greatly encouraged by Judge Edwin Cameron's decision to declare his HIV status.
His brave stand will help put a human face to HIV/AIDS and also dispel the myth that it can only happen to certain category of people or race group.
The department of health, has initiated discussions with Partners Against AIDS in the private sector, to establish HIV testing and counselling centres throughout the country.
In the view of the devastating effects HIV/AIDS is beginning to afflict on communities and society in general, testing for HIV/AIDS needs to be prioritised by all sexually active South Africans, especially couples planning to get married and those wanting to have children.
On the eve of South Africa's second democratic elections, we urge the entire political leadership to impress on their constituencies, the need to work with government in destigmatising and demystifying HIV/AIDS.
21 April 1999