Mpumalanga premier celebrates World Aids Day in Delmas
The premier urged the public to know their status and to take medication as it can prolong their lives.
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has made a clarion call to HIV/Aids patients not to default on their medication.
At the commemoration of World Aids Day held in Delmas last Thursday, Mtshweni-Tsipane said of the more than 590 000 people who tested positive for HIV in the province, about 540 000 have suppressed the virus in their system.
She attributed this milestone achievement to the implementation of the 90-90-90 strategy by the Mpumalanga Department of Health.
The strategy seeks to ensure that those who test positive are consistent in taking their ARVs. She urged civil society and advocacy groups to visit the more than 40 000 people in their households to encourage them to take ARVs consistently.
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“The 90-90-90 targets essentially mean that 90% of people living with HIV know their status, 90% of people diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and 90% of people receiving antiretroviral treatment have viral suppression,” she said.
“The quality of antiretroviral medication has advanced quite significantly in the last couple of years. If a person can consistently take their medication for a minimum period of six months, the HIV in their blood can reach undetectable levels, resulting in viral suppression. HIV is no longer the indomitable obstacle it once was. Our people, who previously had no hope of sustained quality of life, can now live longer and are able to contribute to building the Mpumalanga of our dreams,” she continued.
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The province has recorded the fourth highest HIV prevalence in the country, with about 759 726 people living with HIV/Aids, and about 717 080 of these people being aware of their status.
She said government would create platforms on which to talk openly and frankly to young people on issues of sexuality and the risks of unprotected sex.
“We urge our communities to change social attitudes and norms around HIV and Aids. We must embody the spirit of ubuntu that is inherent in all of us in order to personify the change we wish to see in the world around us,” she said.
