David Mabuza: Gov committed to supporting people living with HIV
Deputy President David Mabuza says government remains committed to supporting young people living with HIV in the challenges they face.
He was speaking in Soweto yesterday, in his capacity as chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council.
World Aids Day was commemorated at Itireleng Clinic whose work supports adolescent girls, young men and women.
He says while HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women have dropped over the past decade - more must be done.
"In the same vein, we must intensify the “She Conquers” campaign for adolescent girls and young women.
"With this campaign, we seek to decrease new HIV infections in girls and young women, decrease teenage pregnancies, keep girls in school, decrease gender-based violence, and increase economic opportunities for young people, especially adolescent girls and young women."
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Mabuza says 73% of people living with HIV in South Africa are on treatment.
He says the country has also edged closer to achieving a 90% viral suppression level.
"As a country, we have made great strides in meeting the first target of ensuring that people know their HIV status. At present, 92% of people living with HIV know their status.
"Of course, there are provinces that are doing better than others, but in general, South Africans are testing and this behaviour needs to be encouraged and maintained."
