Pretoria - Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo has welcomed the 2012 Household Survey Report by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), which confirms a dramatic increase in antiretroviral (ARV) treatment coverage in the province.
The MEC said the report, which was released on Tuesday, tells a good story about the work of the public sector health services and the multi-sectoral response to HIV.
“More people living with HIV are living longer because of the large ARV treatment programme, which is offered in most clinics and hospitals in Gauteng,” said MEC Papo.
Another key finding of the report is the significant decline in HIV prevalence among youth in Gauteng aged 15 – 24 years, from 9.0% in 2005 to 10.1% in 2008 and 5.8% in 2012.
MEC Papo said this was encouraging, as the department continues to prioritise health interventions among youth in order to prevent new HIV infections.
Almost half of adult male residents in Gauteng in 2012 self-reported being circumcised - another important provincial strategy for HIV prevention.
The 4th national population-based household survey was conducted to assess the state of the HIV epidemic. These surveys collect information on HIV infection status, and the social and behavioural factors that greatly enhance the understanding of observed trends in HIV infection rates in Gauteng.
MEC Papo said the survey will contribute significantly to the evidence base that informs how the Gauteng Department of Health plans for and conducts interventions to prevent new HIV infections and keep people, who are living with HIV, alive and well.
“Guided by the turnaround strategy, the department is currently rolling out various interventions to address current challenges that are identified in the report; including a reduction in condom use, and the increasing number of people who do not have correct knowledge about HIV,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
