Gauteng to test one million people before World Aids Day

09 October 2015 - 13:02 By RDM News Wire

More than a third of people living in Gauteng do not know their HIV status. This emerged from a Gauteng Department of Health statement released on Friday to celebrate the “17th anniversary of the Partnership against HIV/Aids”‚ and which vowed to see one million people tested by the end of November.“The partnership was launched in 1998 as part of the government’s concerted efforts to fight HIV/AIDS pandemic by calling upon all South Africans to join hands in the fight to save the nation‚” the statement said.“As we commemorate this momentous day and take stock of how far we have come as a nation – it is an opportune time for us all to reflect on what we have done individually to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS‚” said Gauteng MEC for Health Qedani Mahlangu.Taking stock‚ Mahlangu revealed these statistics:- In Gauteng; 65% of the population know their status;- 68% of HIV+ people are on antiretroviral treatment; and- 81% of those taking HIV treatment have their viral load suppressed.“Through the HIV and Counselling Testing campaign‚ the Gauteng Provincial Government will be collaborating with 18 civil sector organisations that are currently represented at Gauteng Aids Council to test over one million people by the end of November 2015‚” the statement said.“The campaign will be continued through a series of outreach activities that are scheduled for the months of October and November as part of the build up to World Aids Day – December 1 – which will be observed in Tshwane.”..

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