WC values solidarity and shared responsibility in fighting aids epidemic

No single prevention method is fully protective against HIV, but when they are used in combination and supported by structural changes that improve gender equality and socioeconomic conditions, they can be remarkably effective. This year’s World AIDS Day theme, “global solidarity, shared responsibility” is fitting as the Western Cape Department of Health unites in the fight against HIV and show its support for people living with HIV. Globally, the decline in new HIV infections among adults has slowed in the past decade and the Western Cape Government and its partners remain committed to achieving the goals of UNAIDS Fast-Track Strategy to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

‘During the COVID-19 pandemic in the province, HIV services were affected as clients were told to stay home, that medication would be delivered to them, and that they only present to health facilities for emergencies and for chronic medication. Consequently, all primary health care (PHC) services that were considered non-emergencies (e.g. family planning or related), were de-escalated. This has posed a challenge for clients testing and starting antiretroviral treatment (ART), and accessing other services, such as voluntary male medical circumcision. Therefore, the Western Cape has prioritised the scaling up of HIV and TB programmes by initiating new clients and welcoming back ones returning after treatment interruptions, while retaining those already in care. Health workers are tracking clients who have been lost along the cascade of care, providing medication and encouraging them to make appointments at their local clinics. Health workers are also expanding community screening and testing to include HIV and TB screening and reminding clients about adherence of medication and appointments during the pandemic. This is the reason I initiated Vulimpilo campaign, to inform people that we’re ready to offer non-Covid health services’ said Western Cape Minister of Health Dr Nomafrench Mbombo

Big 5 interventions

To control the HIV and AIDS epidemic, the provincial Department of Health has identified five focus interventions. These interventions, which are aimed at high prevalence geographic areas and key populations, are

1. HIV index client testing and self-testing
2. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)
3. MINA
4. DREAMS, and
5. Tuberculosis (TB)

These interventions will work towards the UNAIDS 90-90-90 strategies for HIV and AIDS and TB, to improve the lives of clients living with HIV and TB. The integrated focus on prevention, testing, treatment and adherence adopted by the provincial Department of Health will link all aspects of epidemic control in the province with the available resources. This will also enable health workers to be able to make the necessary referrals so that no one is left behind.

HIV and AIDS in the Western Cape

The Western Cape has made considerable progress in addressing HIV and AIDS over the past 20 years with increased life expectancy and lowered HIV related mortality rates. With the implementation of the Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTC) Programme, transmission of HIV from mother-to-child including during breastfeeding have decreased by nearly 75% in the last 10 years from 11.8% in 2008 to 3.4% in 2018, and stood at 0.5% in the 2019/20 financial year. The adoption and implementation of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Strategy has strengthened the focus on HIV testing and treatment. The Western Cape has exceeded the target of 90% of people living with HIV knowing their status in 2019/20, however, approximately 66% of those diagnosed were on ART.

The Department values the support and leadership of the Provincial Council on AIDS, led by the Premier of the Western Cape Alan Winde. The Council, which is made up of both government and civil society representatives, coordinates a multi-sector response to the HIV epidemic and oversees the implementation of the National Strategic Plan on HIV, sexual transmitted infections (STIs) and TB 2017 – 2022.

As World AIDS Day is commemorated under different circumstances this year, the Western Cape will continue to champion its five focus interventions focusing on the prevention, testing, treatment, and adherence of HIV among key populations, including young girls and women, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and people who inject drugs. Only global solidarity and shared responsibility will help us beat COVID-19 in the coming months, and end the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Download the Big 5 infographic here