Pretoria - Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has joined forces with traditional leaders in the fight against HIV, Aids and Tuberculosis (TB).
The partnership between the Department of Health and traditional leaders -- which is part of the National Strategic plan (NSP) -- has culminated in the signing of the ground-breaking pledge, aimed at the renewal of the HIV, Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign in rural areas under traditional leaders.
The NSP on HIV, STIs and TB is a 20-year vision for reversing the burden of disease from these illnesses in South Africa. It is based on four pillars, including zero new HIV and TB infections, zero new mother-to-child transmission, zero preventable death from HIV and TB, as well as zero discrimination associated with HIV, STIs and TB.
During the signing ceremony on Monday, the traditional leaders, under the auspices of the South African National Aids Council (SANAC), presented a comprehensive prevention strategy which includes HCT, initiation and medical male circumcision and fight against drug and substance abuse.
The strategy also includes awareness campaigns, demystification of myths about HIV/Aids and TB and fighting discrimination and stigmatisation.
In their pledge, the traditional leaders commit to making a contribution to the achievement of the goals set out in the NSP on HIV, STIs and TB 2012-2016. They will also intensify their role in the HCT campaign by providing leadership and information on the importance of the campaign to their people.
The traditional leaders have also committed to a strong partnership with the Department of Health and other SANAC sectors to ensure that the HCT campaign reaches and benefits more people.
“We will ensure that as traditional leaders, we participate fully in all SANAC structures established to govern and monitor the HIV and Aids andTB response at sub-district, district, provincial and national levels.
“We sign this pledge with some joy on the news that indeed, the fight against the dual epidemics in our country has turned a corner. Our people are living longer, healthier and more productive lives than they did five years ago,” reads part of the pledge.
After signing the pledge, Inkosi PT Zulu said "HIV, Aids and TB confront all of us and therefore we must intensify our fight against these pandemics. If not, our gains will be reversed. We have to act and we should act now." – SAnews.gov.za
