Province shows big drop in new HIV infections
WHILE South Africa has made considerable progress against the scourge of HIV/Aids, the Northern Cape has shown the biggest improvement with a 57.6% drop in the number of new HIV infections since 2009.
This is according to research from the IRR which shows that the number of new HIV infections in this province dropped from 5 557 in 2009 to 2 356 in 2016.
While there has been a marked decline in the number of new infections since 2009, the institute has warned that an intensified campaign is needed to sustain the gains.
Research from the IRR shows that the total number of new HIV infections declined countrywide by 39% – from 437 705 to 266 931 – between 2009 and 2016.
IRR analyst Tawanda Makombo said in a statement issued yesterday that the high rate of new HIV infections – a daunting feature of Thabo Mbeki’s presidency – declined under his successor, former President Jacob Zuma, largely as a result of improved HIV/Aids awareness and campaigning strategies in schools, hospitals and communities.
“Moreover, at present, condom distribution particularly at universities has intensified to such an extent that students even demand that they be supplied with flavoured varieties.”
According to the latest available figures KwaZulu-Natal, which had the highest rate of new HIV infections in 2009 (121 308), achieved a drastic reduction of almost 50% to 62 117 new infections in 2016.
While Gauteng’s rate of new infections fell by 27.6% – from 102 074 in 2009 to 73 951 in 2016 – this province has the highest number of new infections of all nine provinces.
Makombo stated that while the overall reduction in HIV infection rates across the country was encouraging, there was room for improvement.
“The national Department of Health must intensify HIV/Aids awareness among all South Africans in order to reduce the risk of infection in those at highest risk, especially young people.”
“Civil society should be more involved in education and support programmes in the fight against HIV and Aids.”