Emalahleni - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi are expected to encourage 5 000 workers at Eskom's Kusile power station in Mpumalanga to test for HIV this weekend.
National health spokesperson Fidel Hadebe said their visit would mark the end of the week-long HIV testing and counselling (HCT) campaign, which started on Monday at the power station in Emalahleni.
"The HIV testing campaign is part of the partnership between the Department of Health and national power utility Eskom to fight against the virus. The department has similar partnerships with many other private sector institutions," said Hadebe.
He said Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba and Mpumalanga Health and Social Development MEC Clifford Mkasi would accompany Motlanthe and Motsoaledi.
Eskom Chief Executive Officer Brian Dames is expected to represent the utility company.
Hadebe said the campaign was part of the national HCT campaign which was launched by President Jacob Zuma in May 2010, where he set a target of getting 15 million South Africans to test for HIV by June 2011.
"I am happy to announce that we have exceeded that target, and more than 17 million people have tested for HIV, while more than eight million were screened for TB.
"Since his appointment as Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has placed a huge emphasis on prevention as part of responding to the HIV/Aids challenge in the country," Hadebe said.
Last year, more than 2 000 workers at the Medupi power station in Lephalale also tested for HIV as part of the campaign, which is a partnership between Eskom, the Health Department and construction giant Murray and Roberts.
According to Eskom spokesperson, Hilary Joffe, the utility company initiated its first HIV and Aids policy in 1988 focusing on education, surveillance and counselling.
"By the mid-1990s, Eskom became aware of the impact this disease would have on its business and workforce and an impact analysis on their operations was commissioned. The analysis projected a 26% HIV prevalence rate in 10 years if no interventions were made. The assessment also stated that 550 to 600 new Aids cases a year would cost Eskom R275 millionto R300 million per year," said Joffe.
She said this finding motivated Eskom to make HIV and Aids a strategic priority of the organisation, where in 1999 they decided to start a programme which includes self-awareness, identifying high risk areas, providing education and training, care and support and communicating results of the programme.
