Cape Town Exceeds HIV Testing Targets

The City of Cape Town has exceeded its annual target for HIV testing of adults older than 15 years of age, by nearly 2%. A total of 223 089 residents have been tested across the Cape metropole.

Chairperson of the City's Health Portfolio Committee, Cllr James Vos, has urged Capetonians to join the municipality's Get Tested Campaign in the run-up to World Aids Day on Saturday, 1 December.

Last year, as part of the campaign, the City succeeded in testing nearly 2 000 residents at eight shopping malls on World Aids Day. A follow-up campaign on Valentine's Day rendered 1 800 tests and a further 950 tests were done on Youth Day. In total 4 707 people participated in the campaign.

"Research shows that one of the best ways to change people's behaviour is to get them to know their HIV status. This will prevent them from unknowingly spreading HIV, or encourage them to take extra precaution not to contract the virus. It also provides them with an opportunity to protect those they love and avoid re-infection.

"HIV is no longer a death sentence. It can be managed as a chronic disease. But prevention of HIV is the City's key focus as we deliver the ABC message of prevention," Cllr Vos says.

"HIV prevention is a key component in the City's strategic health programme. It is delivered in partnership with the provincial government. The City is the key role player for the treatment of TB and HIV testing and prevention, where the provincial health department are the main providers of anti-retroviral treatment," says Dr Ivan Toms,
Executive Director of City Health.

A city-wide campaign started on Monday, 26 November with an outreach at taxi ranks in the Bloekombos area near Kraaifontein. Several testing sites have been set up in Cape Town's eight health sub districts. Each sub district is hosting an awareness or testing programme.

On Saturday Executive Mayor Helen Zille will unveil a monument at Lookout Hill, Rocklands in Mitchells Plan at 10:00 (10am) to commemorate AIDS victims and promote voluntary counselling and testing. Other HIV/Aids events for the day include an outreach programme at Bloekombos Clinic at 09:00 (9am), HIV testing at Long Beach Mall at 10:00 (10am), as well as a 'Dance to Survive' programme at the Belhar Indoor Sport Centre, starting at 16:00 (4pm).

The municipality offers free testing throughout the year at all 86 clinics in the city.

"This week's initiative is part of Cape Town's drive to create a flourishing city with healthy residents. I believe that cities around the world have a crucial role to play in delivering results in the fight against HIV and Aids. Each city has a unique perspective of community health needs and the steps necessary to empower them to help themselves," says Cllr Vos.

Cllr Vos will undergo a public HIV test on Saturday at 10:30 (10.30am) at the entrance to Pick n Pay in the Sable Square Shopping Complex in Bosmansdam Road. He will be joined by local business people and HIV activists.

"Join the City of Cape Town's Get Tested Campaign this week and know your status. By doing so, together we can stem the tide of new HIV infections," Cllr Vos said.

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Issued by:
Directorate: Communication
City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 2201

Media Queries:
Cllr James Vos
Chair: Health Portfolio Committee, City of Cape Town
Tel: 021 590 1680 Cell: 083 640 7640

Dr Ivan Toms
Executive Director, City Health
Tel: 021 400 2100
Cell: 084 2200 143