Activism

TAC Messages for World AIDS Day

TAC messages for World Aids Day

“South Africa is taking responsibity”

Resources for health to meet the National Strategic Plan (2007-2011) targets: towards universal access to treatment now!

Click on the link to read TAC’s statement and see events planned for World AIDS Day.

South Africa accounts for 17% of global HIV infections.[1] There are 5.5 million people living with HIV and only 50% (800 000) of those who need antiretroviral therapy have access to it, while an additional 1.5 million people are estimated to currently require antiretroviral therapy. The country plan on HIV aims to treat 80% of those who need treatment and cut new infections by half. The Department of Health (DoH) had anticipated a shortfall of R1.2 billion for the HIV treatment programme for this year. The National Treasury allocated R900 million leaving   a gap of R300 million for this year.[2] We need everyone’s efforts to close the gap, especially the international donor agencies.

President Zuma will be addressing the nation on HIV on the 1st of December 2009. He recently acknowledged that our country’s young population mortality rate has been on the increase for the last decade and this needs to be stopped.[3] We welcome his leadership on AIDS as this is a sign of political will in this administration to fight the HIV and TB epidemics in South Africa. This level of leadership on AIDS and TB has been absent from government for 15 years.

We also need his leadership in changing men’s attitudes and behaviour against women and girls. A radical approach to stop gender based violence and HIV in South Africa is needed. We all need to commit to achieving universal access to treatment and to put an end to maternal deaths both from violence and HIV. We are however particularly impressed by the sense of urgency to reach our goals for 2009 for treating people living with HIV as outlined in the National Strategic Plan (2007-2011). We stand with the President and are in support of our government delivering on these promises. TAC and its partners in Southern Africa launched the Resources for Health campaign in July 2009 to ensure that universal access to treatment becomes a reality.

The Global Fund has saved an estimated 3.5 million lives in developing countries.[4] Yet  the Global Fund has been unable to obtain donor commitments to fill a growing funding gap, which directly affects countries’ capacity to scale-up and sustain HIV/AIDS treatment. The economic crisis cannot be used as an excuse  for national governments and the G8 countries  not to honour their commitments to fight TB/HIV and Malaria in developing countries.

What can you do?

  • It is your responsibity to know our HIV status early, let’s all go and take the test.
  • Prevent your unborn child from getting HIV – access PMTCT.
  • Women and girls must go out and get screened for cervical cancer.
  • Go out and test and treat your TB.
  • Do your CD4 count so that you can access antiretroviral treatment.
  • Let’s all change our sexual behaviours and act responsibly.

I am responsible! We are responsible!

Join TAC and its partners in the following World Aids Day events

Western Cape –Cape Metropole district (Khayelitsha)
TAC in partnership with Zip Zap, Cirque Du Soleil and BTC
Venue: OR Tambo Hall, Mew Way
Time: 13:00 – 17:00
Theme: I AM RESPONSIBLE
There will be entertainment activities for children at the centre to teach children about HIV/AIDS.
Contact Person: Mandla Majola at 082 748 8371

TAC will attend the WAD gala concert hosted by the Stellenbosch University. Performers Lady Smith Black Mambazo, Jimmie Earl Perry, Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Marcel Koning, Soli Philander, Rouchelle Liedemann, Ranelle Visagie, Sharon Kips and others.
Venue: Artcape Theatre
Time : 19h30

Gauteng -Ekurhuleni district
TAC, together with the Olive Leaf Foundation, will be having a HIV awareness walk in Germiston.
Hosted: by the Ekurhuleni Department of Health.
Venue: Municipality office Victoria Street
Time: 12:00
Contact Person: Nokhwezi Hoboyi at 0720644 157

Mpumalanga- Gert Sibande district
Together with the DoH, TAC Gert Sibande will be doing a door-to-door campaign where government officials will be educating people about HIV/AIDS. Child headed families will also be targeted in order to give them food parcels.
Venue: Sekunda Stadium
Time: 10:00
Contact Person: Thandi Maluka at 013 752 7112

Eastern Cape- OR Tambo district (Lusikisiki)
TAC be joining the Eastern Cape Aids Council (ECAC) for their service on wheels campaign. Services that will be done on the day include; HIV testing and grant application papers.
Venue: Alfred Nzo
Time: 10:00
Contact person: Noloyiso Ntamehlo at 083 487 1814

Limpopo- Mopani district
There will be a resources for health picket at the DoH during their commemoration events for World Aids Day. The picket will be a follow up on the memorandum that was been sent  to the Mopani DoH but was never responded to.
Venue: Giyani @ Kholehala Village
Time: 10:00
Contact person: Mashudu Mfomande at 072 808 2590

KwaZulu-Natal -uMgungundlovu district
TAC, Love Life, uKhozi Fm, the Gay and Lesbian Sector and Patrick Mdletshe, TAC KZN Deputy Chair, will be on a radio panel discussing the importance of testing. TAC KZN will also be attending other partners’ events.
Venue: UKhozi Fm studio’s
Time: 16:50
Contact person: Patrick Mdletshe at 078 153 3073

TAC participation at the PrEP roundtable discussion
Venue: Durban
Contact person : Victor Lakay at 072 134 5346

[1] The Lancet, ‘Health in South Africa: An Executive Summary for the Lancet Series’, 2009

[2] TAC/ ALP Joint Statement, ‘Is there enough money to meet the National Strategic Plan treatment target? Will it be spent properly?’, 30 October 2009

[3] President Jacob Zuma’s addressto the National Council of Provinces on the South African HIV and STI National Strategic Plan (2007-2011) , 29 October 2009

[4] Medicines Sans Frontiers, ‘Punishing Success: Early Signs of Retreat from Commitment to HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment’, November 2009