COMMEMORATING WORLD AIDS DAY

Decades, after Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), was first confirmed to be a reality, scores of people are still dying from it. This continues to happen while preventative measures and treatment are freely available.

South Africa accounts for a huge number of new infections globally. The City of Ekurhuleni today joins the world in marking WORLD AIDS Day.

This year’s theme is ‘Let communities lead in ending the HIV/AIDS infection’. In line with this theme, the municipality urges residents to work in formations to destigmatise access to health tools and encourage those infected to go on ARVs immediately.

“Communities can remove any shame associated with acquiring free condoms or sitting in a queue at the clinic to get tested or receive ARVs. A message of normality and easy access to these health services should be promoted not just by healthcare providers, but communities as well,” says Executive Mayor Cllr Sivuyile Ngodwana.

HIV/AIDS continues to be a chronic condition that can easily be avoided and even managed without any deaths being recorded. A recent study done by the SA Human Sciences Research Council revealed that around 7.8 million people were infected in 2022, whilst over a million people are living their lives without knowing their status because of fear of testing.

“The time has come for us as individuals to stop unnecessary infections and deaths by encouraging people to go voluntary tests so that they can know their status and apply the necessary life-prolonging health measures that are freely available in this country,” emphasises Mayor Ngodwana.

The City is reminding the public that its 93 health facilities provide all the assistance and support on HIV and Aids.

Issued by the Office of the Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni