Cape Town – Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for collective action in South Africa’s fight against HIV and Aids, urging all sectors of society to contribute to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.
Speaking at the World Aids Day commemoration in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, on Sunday, Mashatile highlighted the need to increase HIV screening, treatment initiation, and adherence to ensure high viral suppression rates.
“As of June 2024, only 79% of people who knew their status were on treatment, and only 93% of people on treatment were virally suppressed.
South African National Aids Council chairperson, Paul Mashatile says government is committed to do whatever it takes to achieve the collective vision of an HIV/AIDS free world. #TheFullView pic.twitter.com/McBqldfVCC
— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 1, 2024
“As a country, we need to further increase HIV screening, diagnosis, and treatment initiation while maintaining treatment adherence to keep viral suppression rates high. We urge all government departments to incorporate HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis [TB] in their workplace health and wellness programs.
“In the same breath, we call upon political parties, trade unions, student organisations, and other formations to encourage their members and supporters to know their HIV status and those who know their status to seek treatment and to remain on treatment.
“Our traditional leaders need to continue to use platforms at their disposal, such as community meetings, izimbizo, traditional initiation schools, funerals and such events, to encourage their subjects to test for HIV and TB,” Mashatile said.
In his message, Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasises the importance of ensuring that everyone living with HIV/AIDS has access to excellent medical care, treatment, and support programs.
“We are also happy that the Department of Health, working together with SANAC and our… pic.twitter.com/qAZ46G7hfM
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) December 1, 2024
He urged political parties, traditional leaders, religious organisations, and employers to mobilize communities, particularly focusing on young women and girls aged 15-24, who are most vulnerable to new infections. South Africa remains at the epicenter of the epidemic, with nearly 8 million people living with HIV and 1,300 new cases recorded weekly among adolescent girls.
Mashatile praised campaigns like #ForeverWena for empowering young people to make informed sexual health decisions and emphasized the importance of addressing gender disparities in HIV infection rates.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
