Message of hope on World Aids Day at St Francis
St Francis Care Centre is a registered NPO catering to dozens of vulnerable children and adults, most of them suffering from threatening and/or life-limiting conditions
“South Africa can be an HIV/Aids-free country in years to come.”
These are the words of St Francis Care Centre manager Tilly Brouwer as she spoke at the centre’s informative World Aids Day event on December 1.
They held the event to raise awareness of HIV/Aids and to emphasise the importance of testing for HIV, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS through abstinence and adherence to treatment. This was an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the progress made in the fight against HIV.
This year’s theme was ‘Let Communities Lead’.
In her speech, Brouwer highlighted statistics about HIV/Aids.
“The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), in collaboration with its partners, recently announced key findings from the Sixth South African National HIV Prevalence, Incidence, and Behaviour Survey, which highlighted the progress toward ending HIV in South Africa – the country with the world’s largest HIV epidemic.
“SABSSM VI found the percentage of all people living with HIV in South Africa has decreased from 14.0% in 2017 to 12.7% in 2022. This translates to approximately 7.8 million people living with HIV in South Africa in 2022, compared to 7.9 million in 2017.
“The 2022 survey shows South Africa has made significant progress toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets – that by 2025, 95% of all people living with HIV be aware of their HIV status, 95% of those aware of their status to be on antiretroviral treatment (ART), and 95% of those on ART who also know that they are living with HIV to achieve viral load suppression.
“SABSSM VI showed that among people aged 15 years and older living with HIV in South Africa in 2022, 90% were aware of their status, 91% of those aware of their status were on ART, and 94% of those on ART virally suppressed.
“This is an improvement, compared to 2017, when the UNAIDS target was 90-90-90 but South Africa achieved 85%-71%-87%.
“The large uptake of treatment can be attributed to the changes in treatment guidelines in 2016. This made provision for treatment to be given to everyone requiring HIV treatment immediately, regardless of their clinical status, which previously needed to include a CD4 count below 500 cells/mm3.”
Brouwer pointed out the 2022 survey also shows gaps that remain in addressing the HIV epidemic in South Africa.
“Among people aged 15 years and older, the impact of the HIV epidemic in South Africa is unequal across geographic regions and populations, particularly affecting black Africans, women, and young people.
“HIV prevalence varied geographically, ranging from 8% in the Western Cape to 22% in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Furthermore, HIV prevalence was nearly twice as high among women (20%) compared to men (12%). By race, HIV prevalence was the highest among black Africans (20%), followed by Coloureds (5%), and lowest among Whites and Indian/Asian people (1% each).”
Brouwer highlighted they also remembered the founder of the centre, the late Father Stan, as it was his birthday on World Aids Day.
Other speakers at the event included representatives from Tambo Memorial Hospital, Boksburg North Clinic and Stephan Ntimane.
The St Francis Care Centre children entertained the guests with a singing performance and Fr Jeff officiated Mass.
The event ended with a candle-lighting ceremony, where each of the guests silently held a candle as they remembered those people who died of the disease.
Guests could test for HIV/Aids, high blood pressure, and diabetes and undergo tuberculosis screening.’
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