Minister Calls for Re-Launch of HIV Testing. 16/8/10

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has called for a re-launch of the HIV/Aids-testing campaign, which had slumped because of the World Cup.

TimesLive

Motsoaledi said yesterday that "millions of people" had been tested since the HIV-counselling and testing campaign was launched four months ago.

But he said he was not satisfied with that result, and plans were being made to re-launch the campaign "in about a month's time".

''We launched the campaign in April but there was a big lull during the World Cup and we need to re-launch it."

Referring to the UN's Millennium Development Goals and South Africa's failure to reduce its child mortality rate, and to the fight against HIV, Motsoaledi said: "This pandemic is far, far, far from being over and we need to break its back somewhere."

The minister met members of Business Unity SA yesterday and appealed to its members for help "in cash or kind" to raise awareness about HIV testing.

Motsoaledi said he wanted business to help by distributing condoms or running a "massive circumcision drive".

Business Unity CEO Jerry Vilakazi said business "has a vested interest" in helping prevent HIV infection.

"The category that is highly infected are those who are economically active, in the age group between 25 and 39 . the drivers of the economy."

Vilakazi said that business leaders had agreed to provide advertising expertise to his department to "design campaigns that will speak to the young and funky generation".