North West to intensify fight against HIV in Bojanala to curb spread

30 Nov 2010

North West Premier, Thandi Modise together with newly appointed MEC for Health, Dr. Magome Masike will lead community dialogues during World AIDS Day commemoration in Boitekong, a mining community near Rustenburg. The day is observed annually on 1 December and a number of activities are expected to take place, which will call on every individual to take action against the scourge of HIV and AIDS.

HIV prevalence in the province is showing signs of decline. Prevalencehas went down to 30% from 31% in 2008. Bojanala Platinum District which Boitekong is part of is experiencing an upward trend in terms of HIV prevalence as compared to other districts, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Ngaka Modiri Molema and Dr. Ruth Segomotso Mompati which are showing a sign of decline. The 2009 National Antenatal Sentinel HIV and Syphilis prevalence survey in South Africa indicates that HIV prevalence in Bojanala has moved from 31.8% in 2008 to 34.9 in 2009. The upward spiral in Bojanala is a concern for the Department since is affecting the performance of the province.

We are intensifying awareness campaigns as part of renewed efforts to curb the scourge of HIV. The department commenced with community dialogues last week in mining communities in Bojanala on how individuals can contribute towards reduction of new HIV infections and will continue beyond World Aids Day. Community dialogues form part of effective consultation and input of all South Africans into the process of developing the National Strategic Plan 2012 – 2016.

The department is also expanding its interventions strategy by rolling out High Transmission Areas Perogramme. The educational programme which is aimed at high risk groups like truck drivers, and commercial sex workers is being implemented in all four districts. The services offered at HTA sites include treatment of common ailments, treatment of sexually transmitted Infections, HIV Counseling and Testing, and condom distribution. The department has also identified five new sites as hotspots areas and will establish intervention sites with the purpose of improving access of services beyond normal working hours to high risk areas. The identified sites are Brits, Koster, Mafikeng and Sifikile in Moses Kotane sub district.

The department has increased number of sites offering Antiretroviral Treatment from 63 in September to 84 in November. Boitekong Health Centre is one of sites accredited to offer ARV treatment. The sites are being complemented by 28 community based organisations and 90 clinics accredited as part of down referral programme. These sites refer stable patients to community based organisations and public facilities where quality Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care, Management and Treatment (CCMT) can be continued thereby ensuring monitoring of drug adherence and tracing of patients who default treatment.

As at 14 November 2010, about 414,086 people tested for HIV since the launch of HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT) campaign on 30 April 2010. The province aims to test one million people out of population of at least 3.2 million by the end of campaign next June. A total of 95 080 have been put on ARVs and the department is set to increase number of people on treatment to 132 081 by end of campaign.

The media media is invited to be part of the commemoration scheduled to start at 10h00 in Boitekong's Tswaramoratang sports ground.

Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane (Department Spokesperson)
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za 

Issued by: North West Office of the Premier
30 Nov 2010