Pretoria - Cabinet is encouraging social dialogue on HIV and Aids this coming World Aids Day to dispel the myths around the condition which touches millions of South African's lives.
Instead of the usual celebrations around the event this year, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will be visiting Gert Sibande District Municipality in Mpumalanga where he will participate in a dialogue to engage community members and health care workers.
Cabinet members, including MECs, will also participate in social dialogues around the country on how to reduce new HIV infections.
This was announced by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Thursday at a post Cabinet briefing.
World Aids Day is observed around the world on 1 December. The theme for this year is 'We are Responsible', and addresses the collective responsibility of all South Africans to influence and support partners, family and community members to voluntary test for HIV and set an example by leading healthier lifestyles.
"It also addresses the collective responsibility for the world to start contributing towards a common HIV response," said Motsoaledi.
This year will also see the World Aids Day campaign continuing until next year June as government aims to reach a target of testing 15 million people for HIV and Aids by then. The HIV, Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign was launched by President Jacob Zuma in April.
The minister said while the HCT campaign had lagged behind due to the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the three-week public service strike, to date, 4.9 million people have reported for counseling in the country's health facilities of which half a million are from Gauteng.
Motsoaledi said it was difficult to track the exact number of people who have tested because the campaign was also being rolled out by various other private health sectors. The correct and updated figures will be released on World Aids Day.
SA's biggest retail pharmacy chain, Clicks, as well as medical scheme such as Discovery Health, are among the companies rolling out the campaign.
