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
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