By Nkhensani Chauke
The Gauteng health department has surpassed its targets for HIV testing for the last financial year.
The department conducted more than 5.4 million tests. Its target was 4.9 million.
Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said on Thursday that there had been an increase in HIV self-screening, index contact testing and community testing services aided by non-profit organisations. Numerous HIV testing campaigns had also been launched over the five districts in the province.
Preventative care provided to pregnant women as part their antenatal care treatment had resulted in 0.2% infants testing positive for HIV in the province.
“The low mother-to-child transmission rate is attributed to the effective implementation of the Vertical Transmission Prevention programme for the antenatal clients who test positive, as well as the provision of pre-exposure (PrEP) and post- exposure prophylaxis for antenatal and postnatal clients who test negative,” she said.
“Our commitment to combating HIV/Aids has been unwavering. We will continue to maintain our focus on improving prevention, testing and treatment services to ensure that no one is left behind.”
There has also been a decrease in the HIV rate amongst those aged between 15 and 24 through the implementation of preventative programmes such as PrEP by 0.2%, from 1,3% to 1,1%.
The department has ramped up its efforts to ensure that adults who test positive for HIV are placed on antiretroviral treatment, there is a pre-retrieval of files prior to patients’ appointments, and patients who miss appoints are tracked down.
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