Media statement 1 December 2023
Cllr Rina Marx
MMC for Health
On an annual basis, 1 December is commemorated as World AIDS Day. The global theme for this year is Let Communities Lead.
The City of Tshwane Health Department supports this theme because it –
- recognises the role played by communities in responding to HIV;
- calls for a greater involvement of civil society; and
- requires capacitating communities to deal with stigma, discrimination and human rights violations.
The City of Tshwane is hosting a World AIDS Day event on 5 December 2023 at Atteridgeville Community Hall in Region 3. Our goal is to increase awareness and support communities impacted by HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and tuberculosis (TB). Available services on the day include testing, treatment, care and support for individuals and families.
According to UNAIDS, HIV remains a global public health challenge. HIV infection in South Africa is notable, with young people between 15 and 24 years carrying the highest burden. It is for this reason that South Africa, through the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STIs 2023–2028, aims to, among others, break down barriers to finding solutions and maximising equitable access to HIV, STI and TB services.
In terms of responding to HIV, the City of Tshwane Health Department has a Multisectoral AIDS Response Management Unit (MSAMU) responsible for the implementation of the Multisectoral HIV/AIDS Response Management Programme. At our primary healthcare clinics, communities can make use of services such as counselling, screening and testing for other opportunistic infections like TB, blood tests including CD4 count, initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART), including pregnant women, to prevent transmission to the unborn child, medication and viral load testing.
As the MMC responsible for Health, I want to encourage people to make use of available programmes and ensure continuity in their treatment. Communities need to support those living with HIV and avoid stigmatising them. “Let us all lead the response to HIV.”
Media enquiries: Natashia Chhiba (natashiach@tshwane.gov.za)