Pretoria - Since the provincial launch of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign in KwaZulu-Natal, more people have gained access to Anti-retroviral Treatment (ART).
"We are experiencing a better outcome in terms of identification of people needing access to ART, the total number initiated on ART as at the end of June 2010 was 403 923 with 343 834 on treatment, inclusive of 33 542 children," said Provincial Health MEC Dr Dhlomo.
The provincial campaign was launched on 30 April 2010 with a target of testing more than three million people by the end of June next year.
Addressing the provincial legislature on Thursday on the department's progress in key initiatives, Dr Dhlomo announced that preparations are underway to re-launch the campaign in schools, villages and farms.
"Services are also conducted on an ad hoc basis at malls, churches, grant pay points, tribal courts, farms, businesses, schools and community halls," Dhlomo said, adding that more clinics will commence ART initiation in the next two months.
The department has also managed to distribute more than 17 million condoms.
Dr Dhlomo acknowledged that there are challenges with regard to the appointment of service providers in certain districts and assured that steps are being taken to address them in order to reach the targets and exceed, if possible
