SOUTH Africa needs R130.7-billion over the next five years to save lives.
The money will go to fighting HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and tuberculosis (TB).
This is according to the government's new strategic plan to fight Aids and related illnesses.
President Jacob Zuma will today unveil the plan which is aimed at wiping out infections to zero.
The government wants at least 80% of eligible patients on antiretroviral drugs, with 70% staying on the medication after the initial stage.
It also plans to reduce the number of TB infections as well as TB deaths by 50%.
The plan requires all government departments to adopt it by providing various services such as housing, food security, healthcare and justice, together with the Human Rights Commission, to protect the rights of those infected and affected.
The new plan was drawn up after assessing the previous plan, which was implemented in 2007.
The South African National Aids Council - a body that includes government and civil society groups - recently approved the plan in a meeting chaired by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
The previous plan, the government says, has put 14million people on HIV treatment.
It also guided the development and implementation of policies to deal with the HIV and TB epidemics.
The new plan has four objectives: preventing new infections, addressing social impact, sustaining good health and protecting those infected.
It identifies young women between 15 and 24 years old as most exposed to getting or transmitting HIV.
It also states that people living close to national roads, informal settlements, young people not attending schools and people from low socio-economic groups were most likely to be exposed to transmitting HIV, TB and STI.
Transgender people are also at a higher risk of being HIV positive. Mainly because of lack of knowledge of this community, they are often at risk of sexual abuse.
Sex workers are also at risk with an estimation that 19.8% of all new HIV infections are related to sex work.
The plan recommends that research on HIV, TB and STI be done.
The government has still to raise money for the plan.
Health plans need R130bn to save lives
SOUTH Africa needs R130.7-billion over the next five years to save lives.
The money will go to fighting HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and tuberculosis (TB).
This is according to the government's new strategic plan to fight Aids and related illnesses.
President Jacob Zuma will today unveil the plan which is aimed at wiping out infections to zero.
The government wants at least 80% of eligible patients on antiretroviral drugs, with 70% staying on the medication after the initial stage.
It also plans to reduce the number of TB infections as well as TB deaths by 50%.
The plan requires all government departments to adopt it by providing various services such as housing, food security, healthcare and justice, together with the Human Rights Commission, to protect the rights of those infected and affected.
The new plan was drawn up after assessing the previous plan, which was implemented in 2007.
The South African National Aids Council - a body that includes government and civil society groups - recently approved the plan in a meeting chaired by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.
The previous plan, the government says, has put 14million people on HIV treatment.
It also guided the development and implementation of policies to deal with the HIV and TB epidemics.
The new plan has four objectives: preventing new infections, addressing social impact, sustaining good health and protecting those infected.
It identifies young women between 15 and 24 years old as most exposed to getting or transmitting HIV.
It also states that people living close to national roads, informal settlements, young people not attending schools and people from low socio-economic groups were most likely to be exposed to transmitting HIV, TB and STI.
Transgender people are also at a higher risk of being HIV positive. Mainly because of lack of knowledge of this community, they are often at risk of sexual abuse.
Sex workers are also at risk with an estimation that 19.8% of all new HIV infections are related to sex work.
The plan recommends that research on HIV, TB and STI be done.
The government has still to raise money for the plan.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos