Mdantsane: Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called on all South Africans to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS during a World AIDS Day commemoration at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape. He highlighted the need for collective action to ensure that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, are on treatment, and are virally suppressed.

According to South African Government News Agency, Mashatile emphasized that while strides have been made in knowing HIV status, only 79% of those aware of their status are receiving treatment, and 93% of those treated have achieved viral suppression as of June 2024. He urged increased screening, diagnosis, and treatment adherence and called on various societal sectors, including government departments, political parties, and traditional leaders, to promote HIV testing and treatment adherence.

The Deputy President praised a new initiative by the Department of Health and SANAC to trace and connect 1.1 million people living with HIV to treatment b
y December 2025. This effort aims to meet UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets, ensuring that 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those are on treatment, and 95% of those treated are virally suppressed. Mashatile stressed the importance of community-led responses and interventions to ensure no one is left behind.

He highlighted the prevalence of HIV among young people, especially adolescent girls and young women, with 1,300 new weekly cases reported. He called for targeted interventions for this demographic and underscored that HIV is not only a health crisis but also a developmental and human rights issue.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane emphasized the importance of educating everyone about HIV and AIDS and highlighted the province’s focus on young people, particularly in addressing high teenage pregnancy rates. Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi reiterated the need to put 1.2 million people on ARV treatment to meet the 95% target, particularly encouraging men to get tested.

The World AIDS D
ay 2024 commemorations in South Africa focused on the theme “Equal Rights, Equal Care,” advocating for universal and equitable access to healthcare for all South Africans. The global observance aims to raise awareness about the epidemic and encourage prevention, treatment, and care for those affected.