By Johannah Malogadihlare
The Mpumalanga government needs to work with stakeholders to reduce HIV infections in the province, according to premier Mandla Ndlovu.
Following a report from the Human Sciences Research Council, which says Mpumalanga has the highest HIV prevalence compared with other provinces, Ndlovu convened a provincial Aids council meeting this week.
It explored measures to reduce new infections.
In 2022, an estimated 890,000 people were living with the virus in the province.
“We have been advised that prevention is cheaper than treatment. Therefore, all of us must make the HIV topic a part of our engagement with our communities in all public platforms,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“In so doing, we will mobilise our communities to test for HIV… and keep those who test positive on the ARV programmes for viral suppression.”
MECs, mayors, civil society, development partners and funding agencies participated in the meeting.
Ndlovu said the HSRC study was an essential planning tool to ensure that resources were deployed where they were needed the most.
“Gert Sibande District [is] the leading district with the highest HIV prevalence in the province… Gert Sibande recorded 20.5%, Ehlanzeni District recorded 16%, while Nkangala District has 13.1%,” the premier said.
The meeting resolved to adopt a long-term strategy to care for those who were HIV-positive, and agreed to intensify campaigns which promoted the use of ARVs, especially among the youth and men.
Male circumcisions from the age of 15 would be increased, and public awareness campaigns would be enhanced, the premier said.
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