City commemorates World Aids Day

The City of Ekurhuleni joined the world in marking World Aids Day on Friday.

This year’s theme is, ‘Let communities lead in ending the HIV/Aids infection’. In line with this theme, the municipality urged residents to work in formations to destigmatise access to health tools and encourage those infected to go on ARVs immediately.

Many people are still dying from Aids, decades after it was confirmed to be a reality. This continues to happen while preventative measures and treatment are freely available.

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South Africa accounts for a huge number of new infections globally.

“Communities can remove any shame associated with acquiring free condoms or sitting in a queue at the clinic to get tested or receive ARVs,” said Executive Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana.

“A message of normality and easy access to these health services should be promoted not just by healthcare providers, but communities as well,” he said.

He added that HIV and Aids continued to be a chronic condition which can easily be avoided and even managed without any deaths being recorded.

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According to Ngodwana, a recent study done by the SA Human Sciences Research Council revealed that around 7.8 million people were infected in 2022, whilst over a million people are living their lives without knowing their status because of fear of testing.

“The time has come for us as individuals to stop unnecessary infections and deaths by encouraging people to go voluntary tests so that they can know their status and apply the necessary life-prolonging health measures that are freely available in this country,” said Ngodwana.

He reminded community members that there are 93 health facilities providing all the assistance and support on HIV and Aids.