Durban – Government has officially announced the launch of the latest round of a five-year National Strategic Plan (NSP) that would guide South Africa’s response to the HIV epidemic, sexually transmitted infections and TB.
The ambitious plan was launched on Wednesday at the 21st International AIDS Conference underway in Durban. The plan draws on the vision of the United Nations programme of zero new HIV infections, zero preventable deaths associated with HIV and zero discrimination associated with HIV. It is also in line with the World Health Organisation’s goals for reducing TB incidents and mortality.
Speaking at the launch of the plan on Wednesday night, Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, said the document would be aligned with all national and provincial strategic plans on HIV prevention and its entire implementation would be monitored by Cabinet. Various sectors of society and affected groups will be consulted to make inputs on the plan.
The plan’s main components include:
- Reducing new HIV infections by at least 50% using a combination of prevention approaches.
- Put at least 80% of eligible patients on antiretroviral treatment drugs, with 70% alive and on treatment five years after they are put on treatment.
- Reduce the number of new TB infections and deaths by 50%.
- Reduce self-reported stigma related to HIV and TB by at least 50%
Government says while South Africa has achieved its objectives and targeting with regards to HIV since President Jacob Zuma and then Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe unveiled another NSP in 2011, new strategies were needed to up the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says a report by the South African National Aids Council (SANAC) shows that South Africa has achieved its targets for antiretroviral treatment and for the prevention of mother-to-child treatment.
“We can all be proud of these achievements. More than three million people are on antiretroviral treatment, of which the majority are in the public sector and are on the new one-pill-once-a-day combination. This makes our treatment programme the largest in the world,” said Minister Motsoaledi.
The report adds that of the 15 million people on treatment globally, more than 20% live in South Africa and that makes the country’s contribution to global target very substantial. SANAC also acknowledges in the report that this level of investment on treatment is necessary because of the large number of people who are HIV positive in South Africa and the evidence that putting people on treatment saves lives and prevents new infections.
Minister Radebe said government was very excited about the launch of the new NSP, adding that the Presidency would make sure that all hands are on deck to achieve its strategic objectives.
“All coordinating ministers will submit quarterly performance reports on the strategy. Once the national strategy has been tabled to Cabinet, it would be aligned to all provincial and national strategic plans of the social security and human development clusters as well as other clusters,” he said.
Several government departments including Basic Education, Science and Technology and Correctional Services will contribute in the drafting of the NSP, with each department highlighting what it will do to help the country combat the spread of HIV. – SAnews.gov.za
