Increased levels of awareness about Aids and the human immunodeficiency virus have resulted in a stabilisation in the HIV rate nationally, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.
Replying to a question in the National Council of Provinces, he said a recent antenatal survey showed a drop in the infection rate among South African youth under the age of 20, from 22% to 15%.
On the government’s programme, announced in November last year, to establish outlets for the provision of anti-retrovirals to those with Aids, Zuma said ”progress is being made”.
The plan calls for the establishment of one service point for anti-retrovirals in each health district within a year, and one within each local municipality within five years.
”In particular, the tenders for the purchase of the anti-retrovirals, the patient information system and for the training of Aids counsellors have been put out.
”The department [of health] has completed accrediting the service points for the distribution of the anti-retrovirals across the country.
”[It] will be embarking on a major communication strategy in March to inform the public of these developments,” he said. — Sapa