The number of people receiving anti-retroviral therapy in accredited government facilities increased from 11 250 at the end of August to 19 500 in October, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Thursday.
In a written reply to questions in the National Assembly, she said the increase in the number of people on treatment was part of the steady progress of her department’s management plan for care and treatment of HIV and Aids.
”Treatment is already available in at least one facility in 50 of the 53 districts in the country. A total of 103 facilities have been accredited and are providing care and treatment for people with HIV and Aids,” she said.
Three centres had been established to detect, assess, and prevent adverse reaction to anti-retroviral drugs.
A centre at the Medical University of SA focused on the use of anti-retroviral drugs and traditional medicine among adolescent and adults with HIV and Aids.
The second centre at the Free State University dealt with the use of anti-retroviral drugs among pregnant women and infants.
The University of Cape Town also served as a reference centre for adverse reaction to all types of medicines registered in the country, she said.
At least 67% of all public health clinics were providing voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) services, which had increased the coverage rate. The number of people using VCT services had increased from 412 696 in 2002/2003 to 690 537 in 2003/4.
Tshabalala-Msimang said there were now 10 000 counsellors at service points throughout the country at the end of March 2004. Rapid HIV test kits were widely available at the service points to ensure people received results immediately.
Tshabalala-Msimang said more than R9,4-million had been spent on communication and social mobilisation, including newspaper, radio and billboard advertising, and production of information and educational material to support the implementation of the comprehensive plan.
Despite several challenges and constraints, the health department was intensifying the implementation of the plan, and access to treatment was increasing gradually.
”We are strengthening the health system to ensure that quality health services are provided to all South Africans, including people living with HIV and Aids.
”What is critical is that we should work together to create a supportive environment for people living with HIV and Aids, and to assist those who are on treatment to take their medication correctly,” Tshabalala-Msimang said. – Sapa