By Bhekisisa Mncube
Durban – Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe says government is working hard to bring about a radical shift in mind sets and behaviours in its response to HIV/Aids.
Motlanthe was delivering the closing address at the 6th South African Aids Conference, that concluded in Durban today.
“We seek to ensure that managers are equipped with the skills and tools to manage and innovate; systems are strengthened and accountability measures are put in place,” he said.
He mentioned that after thirty years since the discovery of the HI virus, the world stands at a critical point where, “we seem tantalizingly close to declaring victory”.
“As a country, we have made significant inroads in our response and have begun to see the impact of our policies and strategies.”
He said South Africa has learnt from the dual epidemics of HIV and TB. “In addition to the scientific knowledge and all the biomedical intelligence we have acquired, the response has provided a unique opportunity for us to confront our own human frailties, our inconsistencies, our fears, stigma and discrimination.”
The Deputy President said the conference remains an important platform for the constant appraisal of the country’s HIV/AIDS response as well as sharing emerging knowledge and information on the peculiar behaviour of the HI virus, the human body’s response to it; and for identifying the necessary innovations needed in the country’s health system.
More specifically, he said the conference is important for reflecting on the gains made and how best to remain on course towards meeting the universal targets of — ‘zero new infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths’.
Motlanthe called on delegates to recognise the global successes in the fight against HIV as evidenced by the latest Report of the UN Secretary General, which indicates that the number of people with access to treatment has increased by 63% globally and that AIDS-related deaths are decreasing in countries where HIV has the strongest grip.
According to a report released by the United States President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR); 1,651,800 HIV positive individuals are on antiretroviral treatment; 7,055,000 individuals received HIV counselling and testing; 924,300 pregnant women received HIV counselling and testing with 253,000 HIV positive pregnant women receiving antiretroviral medications to prevent mother-to-child transmission. About 170,800 men received voluntary medical male circumcision.
The PEPFAR report underscores the fact that the success of the programme was achieved following a programmatic plan in direct partnership with the South African government.
Motlanthe said the same report cautions us all not to become complacent because even though so much progress has been made, much more remains to be done. –SAnews.gov.za
