Pretoria - More than 900 public servants from all government departments will get an opportunity to test themselves for HIV and be screened for other diseases when the Public Service HIV Testing and Counselling (HCT) Intensification Campaign is launched today.
The campaign - aimed at the public sector - will be launched at the Union Buildings and forms part of the Public Service Month programme of activities.
The initiative is aimed at improving the morale of public servants and also offers improved management of support services to employees in need of HIV and TB treatment, care and support.
HCT is a government-led prevention and HIV testing promotion campaign that is central to the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS, Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) and TB.
The Deputy President, Kgalema Motlanthe as the Chairperson of SANAC, together with the Departments of Public Service and Administration and Health, will launch the campaign.
The programme will include the "Launch of the HCT Intensification and Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) Guidelines" by the DPSA, followed by the Deputy President's keynote address on "Mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS into Core Business of Government Departments".
During the event, a large number of Directors-General are expected to pledge their commitment to the eight principles of mainstreaming HIV and AIDS in the public service.
HCT services for public servants will include comprehensive health screening of body mass index, blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels as well as HIV counselling and testing and TB screening, amongst others.
No HIV and TB treatment will be initiated on site, but clients meeting the qualifying criteria will be referred to the nearest health facility.
