12-11-2014: Fight against HIV/Aids and TB tops the agenda of Gauteng Health
As part of the government’s concerted effort to strengthen the awareness on HIV- AIDS and TB, Gauteng Department of Health has rolled out a radical campaign themed PASOP to influence people’s behaviour and attitude around diseases.
The campaign PASOP which stands for (Prevent, Avoid, Stop, Overcome and Protect) forms the integral part of the ongoing implementation of the Gauteng Strategic Plan on the fight against HIV- AIDS and TB.
In launching the campaign, Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu called all sectors of our communities to come together and join hands with government in eradicating the scourge of the disease.
“This is a call to action and it has been underpinned by our past experiences and relentless efforts of our people to win the fight against HIV- AIDS and TB. It draws on current research, operational reports and lessons learnt from civil society,” said MEC Mahlangu.
“Though PASOP we seek to move both the health care workers and communities beyond awareness, towards health seeking behavior and taking responsibility for our health in general, I don’t have doubt in mind that with this campaign we will be able eradicate new infections and deaths associated with HIV/AIDS and TB,” added Mahlangu.
MEC Mahlangu further announced that the Gauteng Department of Health will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that new HIV Infections rate is reduced by at least 50% with the use of multifaceted prevention approaches to test and screen people for HIV and TB, medical male circumcision and initiating people living with HIV who are legible for ART, and finally reducing self-reported stigma and discrimination related to HIV and TB.
“The PASOP strategy will also prioritise key populations and vulnerable groups such as sex workers, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex, men having sex with men, women and youth. We have noted that the risk of infection amongst these groups is amongst other things fuelled by stigma and discrimination due to people’s sexual identity, age and gender that challenges the social norm,” explains Mahlangu.
The Department has also noted that the highest rates of new HIV infections are still found among young single women who have older boyfriends and or multiple sex partners. Besides their susceptibility, young women in particular carry a very heavy burden when it comes to HIV, because they often have to care for family members living with HIV.
Accordingly, the Department will intensify the PASOP campaign to also reach men who are partners to young women, especially the 3Ms or Mobile Men with Money and men that have sex with men, but do not identify as gay or bisexual.
“I am delighted that the Department is moving in right direction and our effort are in line and directly responding to HSRC‘s South African National HIV Survey 2012, and resolutions from the 20th International World AIDS Conference, which raised major red-flags concerning the HIV/AIDS and TB pandemic.
“In line with this, our campaign will be uncompromising in its tone and messaging, and it will be rollout through various activities in all regions of our province,” concluded MEC Mahlangu.
For more information please contact Head of Communications, Prince Hamnca on 076 744 8126
For media releases, speeches and news visit the Gauteng Department of Health’s portal at www.health.gpg.gov.za;
Issued by Gauteng Department of Health
