Issued by: PWV Provincial Government
21 September 2000
The Gauteng Premier's Committee on Aids met today to discuss a range of matters related to the campaign against HIV/Aids and the continued implementation of government's HIV/Aids programmes in the province.
Chaired by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, the Committee was established earlier this year to ensure the prioritisation of HIV/Aids programmes across provincial Departments and to mobilise all sectors in combat! MECs and Heads of Department.
Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission
The Committee discussed a presentation by the Gauteng Department of Health on interventions on the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/Aids in the province. It approved the expansion of research projects on the prevention of mother to child transmission in line with a national government decision on the matter.
The additional research sites, which will contribute to national and international research on mother to child transmission, involves administering Neviropine, as well as providing counselling and other support to HIV-positive mothers.
Current research at the Chris Hani Baragwanath and Coronation Hospitals will be expanded to include a number of other pilot sites involving hospitals and local clinics in the province. These include the Natalspruit, Leratong, Johannesburg and Garankuwa hospitals and local clinics in Vosloorus, Carletonville, Hillbrow and Soshanguve. The pilot projects will be funded by both government and international agencies.
The selection of sites providing interventions on mother to child transmission will be based on national and provincial criteria including the volume of deliveries, the existence of effective referral systems and medical support.
Other issues
The Committee agreed on the need for an indepth study of the economic impact of HIV/Aids in Gauteng and the involvement of the business community in this regard.
The Premier's Aids Committee also discussed briefings on initiatives in the education sector, including the Life Skills Programme in schools; progress on the Local Intersectoral Programme; the evaluation of the impact of HIV/Aids programmes in the province; and the Gauteng Aids Council.
The Gauteng Aids Council is currently developing a programme to strengthen the partnership between civil society and government in combating HIV/Aids. The Council was launched by the Gauteng Premier in June this year and includes representatives of government, business, trade unions, the religious community, People Living with Aids, NGOs and youth, women's and sporting bodies.
Issued by the Office of the Premier
For more information contact Popo Maja, Media Liaison Officer of the MEC for Health, at 082 373 1169