Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
12 July 2001
The Gauteng Aids Council (GAC) met today (12 July 2001) at Kalafong Hospitalin Atteridgeville, Pretoria. The Kalafong and Pretoria West Hospitals recently became the second research site on the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) to be launched in Gauteng this year as part of the national programme.
The GAC, which is headed by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, was formed just over a year ago to help mobilise all sectors of society in the fight against HIV/Aids and to strengthen the partnership against Aids in action in the province.
The body includes representatives of civil society sectors including youth, women, hostel dwellers, faith communities, people with Aids, traditional healers, sport, labour, civics, business, people with disabilities, musicians and cultural workers organisations.
Following the meeting, the Premier, Health MEC Gwen Ramakgopa and other Council members visited Kalafong's maternity block and ante-natal clinic where the MTCT interventions are implemented, the Motau Child Care Centre for babies who are abandoned or infected by HIV/Aids and a homebased care project in Atteridgeville.
Today's GAC meeting received reports on HIV/Aids programmes targeted at women and youth. The Council endorsed the programme of the Gauteng Women in Partnership against Aids (GWIPAA), a forum launched recently to bring together women from different sectors.
The Gauteng representatives of the SA Youth Council reported on a wide range of activities to mobilise youth in campaigns against HIV/Aids as well as future plans, including peer education and HIV/Aids awareness campaigns in tertiary institutions. The Council acknowledged the important work done among youth and resolved to continue to support youth initiatives.
The Council discussed a report on progress with MTCT interventions in Gauteng and preparations to launch further MTCT sites in the province. In May this year a research site was launched at the Natalspruit Hospital and JC Dumane clinic, followed by the Kalafong/Pretoria West MTCT intervention which began on 8 June. The two sites are in addition to the more established MTCT research sites at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital and Zola clinic as well as at Coronation Hospital.
Health personnel involved in the Kalafong/Pretoria West MTCT programme briefed the council on their experiences since implementation began. The programme at all the sites involves not just the administration of the drug,
Nevirapene but also a range of other aspects such as voluntary testing, counselling, education and support, the adaptation of midwifery practices and follow-up work with the mother and child for up to two years after the birth.
Given that relatively low percentages of pregnant women at the new site have opted for voluntary testing, the Council resolved to encourage women to do so, while noting that some babies born to women who participate in the MTCT revention programme could still be HIV positive.
The Council resolved to strengthen the campaign to promote voluntary ounselling and testing and also called on members of the public to make use f the care services government offers at clinics and hospitals as well as omebased care, which is becoming increasingly important. Care givers nvolved in homebased care projects briefed GAC members on their work in ommunities with people infected and affected by Aids and Council members ater visited a homebased care project in Atteridgeville.
The Council noted the National Aids Council programme and discussed future lans in Gauteng, including activities focussing on women and HIV/Aids during Women's Month in August, the mobilisation of partnerships with government and different sectors in October and activities leading up to World Aids Day on 1 December 2001.
For more information contact:
Annette Griessel at 082 563 3614 or
Hope Huma at 082 555 2302