Ramaphosa: AIDS could no longer be public health threat by 2030

Just a day before World Aids Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa has placed focus on the global epidemic, which seems to have taken a backseat in light of COVID-19. In his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa has said, as another public health challenge South Africa, HIV/AIDS cannot be ignored.

Ramaphosa said for three decades, the country has been engaged in an ongoing struggle against HIV and AIDS, which has cost many lives and caused great hardship and suffering.

The president said the country’s treatment programme has contributed to a reduction in the number of deaths due to AIDS by 60%. He added that there had been a greater reduction in HIV-related deaths among young people.

Ramaphosa attributed the feat to government’s extensive antiretroviral programme reaching millions of people.

“While we have reduced deaths and new infections, we still are far from reaching the goal we committed ourselves in 2016 of achieving a 75% reduction in HIV infections by 2020. If we succeed in doing so, we are likely to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030,” Ramaphosa said.

His comments come as Deputy President  David Mabuza will lead the national commemoration of World AIDS Day (1 December) with an address on progress in the country’s response.

Ramaphosa: COVID-19 impacted HIV/AIDS patients, facilities

The president has noted that the remembrance takes place during a unique time – when the country and the rest of the world are already battling a pandemic which has claimed close to 1,5 million deaths.

He has reiterated that since the COVID-19 outbreak, many HIV, AIDS and tuberculosis services have suffered. This is due to the pressure felt by the public health system.

“This has posed a challenge for people testing and starting antiretroviral treatment. Many people found it difficult to collect their medicines and fewer people accessed other services, such as voluntary male medical circumcision,” he said.

Ramaphosa said more needed to be done to ensure that young people are empowered to prevent infections, including through changing behaviour, accessing condoms and testing regularly.

The president said they needed to work harder on HIV prevention among key populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs.

South Africa needs to increase efforts to medically circumcise young men to reduce their risk of acquiring HIV. Unsafe circumcision should not leave young men with lifelong health problems, and no one should die from circumcision. We must make sure that young men have safe circumcision.