LAUNCH OF MAJOR NEW HIV CAMPAIGN

On 15 April the government will launch a major new HIV campaign which aims to test up to 15 million people for HIV and achieve a 50 percent drop in the rate of infection by June 2011. The targets are ambitious, but it is also clear that the programme will enjoy unprecedented political support.

The new HIV and AIDS implementation plan will be launched on the 15 April 2010 in Gauteng with provincial launches taking place in all the provinces on 19 April 2010. According to a Cabinet statement the new campaign will place more emphasis on prevention through information, education, widespread distribution of condoms and mobilisation of millions of South Africans to know their status.

During the launch event it is expected that the President and his cabinet will kick off the campaign with a public HIV/AIDS test.

The campaign sees a move from voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) to HIV Counselling and Testing (HTC). The new delivery model seeks to provide testing for all patients at the entry points in all health institutions, regardless of their ailment. National Government Spokesperson Themba Maseko explained that “all public health facilities, fixed and mobile, will be equipped to offer HIV testing and to provide antiretroviral therapy (ART)”.

While the new programme has been welcomed by stakeholders and AIDS organizations, some have warned that the new government programme could lead to confusion among the public regarding their choice to participate in HIV testing. Nkululeko Nxesi, the director of the National Association of People Living with HIV and Aids, has said “we support the programme but we are wary of the fact that our people on the ground and in rural areas won’t know their human rights, and will allow themselves to be tested even if they do not want to be.” Such misconceptions may even result in people staying away from clinics and therefore not receiving treatment for their ailments, the organization has warned.

Many organizations working with people affected by HIV and Aids have emphasised that the HTC campaign will require extensive public education to ensure that people visiting clinics are aware that they can choose not to be tested.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has acknowledged that the government's goal of slashing the infection rate and providing ARVs to 80% of those who are infected by next year "is like climbing Mount Everest. It's not child's play". Motsoaledi has also emphasized the urgency of dealing effectively with HIV and AIDS, as the value of government funds dedicated to the epidemic continue to escalate. The 2009/2010 Medium Term Expenditure Framework estimates that by 2012/2013 over R9.5 billion will be allocated to the Departments of Health, Education and Social Development specifically to combat HIV and AIDS. Referring to a recently announced increase in the budget for addressing HIV, Motsoaledi said “if this country does not [cut the infection rate by 50%], we will be in for tough times because if we keep on increasing the budget for ARVs by 33%, that is something that will collapse the fiscus [national budget]".