Greater effort needed for Aids-free society: Ramaphosa

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday urged a greater concerted effort to reduce the affects of HIV/Aids, saying the end of HIV as a public health threat is in sight. “As we approach World Aids Day on the 1st of December, we are inspired by the many actions taken by South Africans from all walks of life over many years to achieve an Aids-free generation,” Ramaphosa, who is also chairman of the SA National Aids Council, said in a statement. South Africa had the biggest HIV treatment programme in the world, with more than three million people on life-saving antiretrovirals (ARVs). People were living longer and fewer people were dying of Aids and Tuberculosis (TB), he said. Life expectancy had increased from 53 years in 2006 to just over 62 years in 2013, and mother-to-child transmission had been further reduced. The number of new HIV infections was still extremely high, particularly among young women and girls. “We need to spread the word about prevention, encouraging all sexually-active South Africans to use condoms. We need to encourage people to test for HIV and TB. We need to ensure that all those who need treatment receive treatment and that they remain on treatment,” he said. “Our theme for World Aids Day is ‘Rise. Act. Protect.’ As a nation, we must rise to this challenge, determined and committed and confident that we can succeed. As a people, and as individuals, we must act to inform, to support, and to encourage. No action is too small. No contribution is wasted. “We must protect ourselves and those who are nearest to us. We must protect the vulnerable. We must combat stigma and create an environment in which all can feel safe and comfortable to test and be treated. The end of HIV as a public health threat is in sight. “As we commemorate World Aids Day, let us work harder and with determination to secure an Aids-free South Africa and indeed an Aids-free world,” Ramaphosa said. https://www.enca.com/south-africa/greater-effort-needed-aids-free-society-ramaphosa