Minister Launches Major Testing Campaign. 25/3/10

 South Africa is only 0.7% of the world population, but we are carrying 17% of the global HIV burden.

We are ready to tackle HIV and AIDS! That was the gist of Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s address today (25 March) when he announced plans for a massive national HIV counseling and testing campaign which aims to reach 15 million South Africans. The Minister also spoke about plans with regard to the rollout of new guidelines for AIDS and TB treatment, due for implementation at the beginning of April.

Press Release

Media Statement: Outline of the national HIV Counselling and Testing

(HCT) Campaign

Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Minister of Health

I wish to begin by taking this opportunity to remind the nation that in August 2009 the distinguished medical journal The Lancet revealed that South Africa is apparently facing a quadruple pandemic, meaning we are going through four different pandemics.

As a result of this and other research reports, on the 11th of March 2010, the Cabinet announced that the country intends to launch a massive HCT campaign. This was a decision taken at the Cabinet fortnightly meeting.

This groundbreaking decision was part of a process to take forward the 2009 World AIDS Day announcements by the President and to try to help us achieve the targets of the National Strategic Plan on HIV, AIDS and STIs. To remind those of us who might have forgotten, on that day last year, the President announced a new approach to HIV and AIDS, in terms of a massive prevention and HIV testing promotion strategy, as well as new treatment protocols.

Read the rest of the statement below: