Over one million on ARV treatment in KZN
With World AIDS Day less than a month away, our Health Department says strides have been made in the treatment of HIV and AIDS - with one million people in KZN now on anti-retrovirals.
Officials, led by KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu, as well as the Treatment Action Campaign and those living with the virus, marked the milestone in Richmond today.
Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo says there have been teams working on the ground and getting patients on treatment early, and in effect extending their life expectancy.
"Of the 3.4 million of South Africans on treatment, a whole million is in one province - then the other eight provinces are sharing this other 2.4 million.
"Now, we can talk of a million South Africans out there who are going to have a long and healthy life - saved from dying much earlier," he said.
KwaZulu-Natal has the largest anti-retroviral treatment programme as the province has the highest HIV prevalence rate.
Today's occasion also marked 10 years since the ARV treatment programme was officially rolled out in in the province.
(File photo)