Johannesburg - SANAC Deputy Chairperson Mark Heywood said more transparency and open dialogue is needed to improve issues of stigmatisation around testing for HIV.
Since the launch of the HIV, Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign last year, over 12 million people in the country have taken the initiative to know their status. However, Heywood said there is no decline in stigma in terms of openness.
"Where are all the HIV positive people [that] tested...? We have to focus on things we don't know like levels of stigma encountered, coerced HIV testing, human rights violations after positive diagnosis and the number of people correctly referred for TB and HIV treatment," Heywood said at the South African Women's HIV Prevention Summit held in Boksburg.
Two million people tested positive, while nearly eight million were screened for TB and one million were referred for TB care.
Heywood said HIV testing was a targeted, measurable, monitorable prevention tool that could be used to empower women and girls.
"HIV testing is not just [for] rape survivors, mothers-to-be, women and girls. It is linked to sexual empowerment and equality."
He highlighted that training of service providers, especially health care workers, protection of human rights, a system to identify and redress human rights abuses and independent and ongoing monitoring and assessment, were some of the components of an effective HCT campaign.
Noting the need for new technologies in the health care system, Edith Moosa from Midwives Aids Alliance said women were desperate for a "secret protection" method like the contraceptive pill and injection.
"They are hoping for something, some help. They are willing to try anything that will help them protect themselves," Moosa said.
She added that all the country's prevention efforts need women to address their empowerment through advocating for women's needs and rights at all levels. -
