By OBAKENG MAJE
Even though South Africa continues to be one of the countries in the world with a high rate of HIV, the North West province has experienced a decline. According to the report, approximately 7.8 million people are living with HIV in South Africa.
The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said the province has experienced a decline in the number of people testing HIV positive. Lekgethwane said they recorded 31 382 during the 2021/22 financial year, 26 407 during the financial year and 22 010 during 2023/24 financial year.
“We understand that HIV continues to be a pandemic within the society and unfortunately, South Africa is one of the countries in the world where it experiences a high rate of HIV. However, there is provision of HIV Testing Services (HTS) in all health facilities for the community to know their HIV status and provision of HIV management package.
“Our health facilities render HIV management for PLWHIV by initiating ART and providing routine HIV follow-up care. Initiation of TPT for eligible PLWHIV to protect them against active TB diseases is also done,” he said.
Lekgethwane further said the provision of CPT for prevention of opportunistic infections is addressed through provision of Prep and community outreach campaigns. He added that routine monitoring and evaluation for the HIV/ART programme performance are conducted during Phuthuma and HAST reviews meetings.
“The department is working closely with implementing partners and civil society for programme strengthening. The health education is being done through group and individual counselling in the health facilities during consultation.
“We are also working closely with the Department of Education, including institutions of High Learning (universities), radio slots, distribution of Information, Educational and Communication (IEC) materials and community awareness through outreach campaigns” said Lekgethwane.
He said they are working with traditional leaders, traditional health practitioners, civil society and implementing partners in a fight against the pandemic. Lekgethwane said there is a challenge, where clients stop treatment when feeling better in spite of counselling being provided on treatment adherence.
“There are socio-economic factors that contribute to the spread of HIV such as poverty and unemployment. Sometimes clients relocate without informing the health facility in order to ensure continuity of care.
“The Bojanala District continues to be the most affected in the province. However, we encourage clients to continue to take ARVs. As things stand, we have 364 477 of individuals who are on ART/ARVs as at the end of May 2024. Some clients still miss their appointments or stop ART due to various reasons,” he said.
Lekgethwane said some of the reasons are uncooperative clients. He said some of the clients stop taking ARVs when feeling better, despite counselling being provided on treatment adherence.
“We have also realized that lack of support system or structure at home or in the community contributes to this. Fear of stigma associated with the disease might also be the cause,” said Lekgethwane.
The Guardian 