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1000 or more people are being infected with HIV every day in South Africa!
Source: SAFM Radio interview with the SANAC (National Aids Council) Technical advisor, 1 December 2021.
HIV is still around and the most vulnerable are young women who cannot easily ensure safe sex, and sadly, often leave infected orphans. After more than 2 decades, there is still no vaccine for HIV. Poverty and ignorance exacerbate the condition.
An Overview Of The HIV Epidemic
(from SA National AIDS Council [1] – Advocacy & Communication Toolkit)
South Africa has the biggest HIV epidemic in the world, with approximately 7.8 million people living with HIV, and accounts for a third of all new HIV infections in Southern Africa. HIV prevalence among the general population is high at 20.4%. Higher prevalence is noted among key and vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men (MSMs), transgender women, sex workers and people who inject drugs. However, the country has made significant improvements in getting people to test for HIV in recent years and continues to have the world’s largest ART programme – which has undergone further expansion with the implementation of ‘test and treat’ guidelines. Furthermore, South Africa was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to fully approve Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which is now being made available to people at high risk of infection.
In terms of the 90-90-90 Cascades, South Africa is currently at 93-76-89 for the total population at June 2021. Results for each of the sub-populations vary, with adult females at 95-81-90, adult males at 92-68-90, and children at 80-86-65.
The provincial breakdown shows that all provinces have achieved the first 90 target, with KwaZulu-Natal performing the uppermost at 93%, despite having the highest burden in the country. The second 90 target remained a challenge both at national and provincial levels (globally as well). However, four districts within KwaZulu-Natal (Ugu, uMzinyathi, uMkhanyakude and Harry Gwala) did very well in meeting their second 90 targets ahead of the 2020 Deadline. Performance on the third 90 was also successful for almost all the provinces.
Overall, it must be noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the HIV response both locally and globally, due to disruptions in the provision of testing
and treatment services. The integration of services, which SANAC lobbied for, at health facilities and service points across the country have become instrumental in resuscitating HIV & TB programmes.
References:
[1] SA National AIDS Council (SANAC) is a body established by cabinet to oversee & advise government on HIV, TB & STIs. RTs aren’t endorsements.
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The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) brings together government, civil society and the private sector to create a collective response to HIV, TB and STIs in South Africa.
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KNOWLEDGE IS PROTECTION AGAINST AIDS
“What’s Aids Mom?” is aimed at 9 – 12 year olds, to inform them about HIV /AIDs. It’s written in a story form with delightful illustrations by Merewyn de Heer. The story is told in a sensitive but scientific way and …
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