Zuma launches R130bn war on TB and HIV

President Jacob Zuma has launched a R130-billion plan to halve HIV and TB infections in five years.

The plan is the basis of a 20-year vision to have zero new HIV and TB infections, zero babies perinatally infected, zero HIV and TB deaths and zero discrimination associated with HIV, TB and sexually transmitted infections.

Speaking in Port Elizabeth yesterday, Zuma said while the government would provide resources for the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and TB 2012-16, provincial Aids councils would be responsible for drafting plans on how they would implement it.

The ambitious plan, to be implemeneted over the next five years, aims to:

• Halve the number of new HIV infections;
• Ensure at least 80% of HIV-positive people who need treatment are receiving it;
• Halve the number of TB infections and TB fatalities; and
• Reduce the stigma related to HIV and TB.

South Africa has the most people living with HIV in the world and the third-highest level of TB.

The plan, created by the SA National Aids Council, will cost R18.7-billion in the next financial year and R23.4-billion the following year.

The largest chunk of funds has been allocated to antiretroviral treatment, the rest going to circumcision projects, HIV and TB testing, condom distribution and HIV awareness campaigns.

The plan intends to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission from 3.5% at present to less than 2% in babies six weeks old, and less than 5% in 18-month-old babies.

It will target "key populations" such as women between 15 and 24 years old; people living in informal settlements or near national roads; children who are not attending school; sex workers and their clients; people with disabilities; people who abuse alcohol and drugs; gay men and transgendered people.

The plan aims to "reduce the vulnerability of young people to HIV infection by ensuring that they stay in school until Grade 12".

Zuma said recent research showed that HIV infections in young women could be prevented if they were not intimidated by their partners, and said the government was prioritising the fight against the abuse of women and children. He urged people not to shun people with HIV.

The president said a key aspect of fighting the epidemic was to deal "with the stigma, discrimination and human rights violations of the infected and affected".

"I want to make a special request to all South Africans: Let us support our family members, neighbours, colleagues and friends who test positive for HIV.

"When people test positive for HIV, they need love, understanding and support of family, friends and relatives more than ever to enable them to live long and healthy lives. They must not be made to feel like lepers," he said.

The government had halved mother-to-child HIV transmissions between 2008 and 2010, Zuma said.