Pretoria - The Mpumalanga Provincial Aids Council has expressed satisfaction at the progress being made by the province in fighting HIV and AIDS.
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza, who chaired a two-day Provincial Aids Council meeting in Hazyview this week, said achievements in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the past five years had exceeded by far what the country and the province could have achieved during the previous 15 years.
He urged the province’s residents to get tested at least once if not twice per year and for those who already live with the virus to always use protection when engaging in sex.
As research showed that circumcision reduced the likelihood of contracting the virus, the Premier said it would aid the fight if men and boys were circumcised. However, he warned that circumcision does not prevent transmission of the virus.
“During the past five years, the country saw the number of new cases decreasing, the number of deaths due to HIV and AIDS were also dropping and life expectancy of South Africans increased from 54 years to 60 years.
“All these gains were directly attributed to the vigorous and endless campaigns that we have as a country, and this province in particular, been monitoring. We are turning the tide against the disease but all these statistics suggest that the war is not over yet,” said Mabuza.
Mpumalanga remains the province with the second highest HIV prevalence.
In the Gert Sibande District, the antenatal HIV prevalence rate has significantly declined from 46.1 percent in 2011 to 40.5 percent in 2012.
However, the Nkangala District, which used to have the lowest rate, has increased from 29.6 percent in 2011 to 32.1 percent.
The lekgotla resolved that the ZAZI campaign - intended to discourage young girls from engaging in sexual relationships with elderly men - will be rolled out in all municipalities.
The campaign will be linked to the 365 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women and Children. – SAnews.gov.za
