Cape Town: Health Department of City of Cape Town commemorated World Aids Day with an awareness drive at the Pelican Park Clinic on Thursday, Dec 05, 2024. The event was completely focused on the 2024 theme ‘Equal Rights, Equal Access’.
The theme for this year of World Aids Day aims to make residents aware that they have access to preventive and treatment programmes. The celebration of year 2024, also marks 20 years of it since roll-out of antiretroviral treatment in the public sector and the progress made in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Patricia Van der Ross said that the Awareness Drives helps them to understand AIDS and HIV.
Its knowledge comes as a tool to reduce transmission, ends the stigma and discrimination. It also improves the quality of life and also celebrates the strides that have made on this front.
Speaking about the health staff at the clinics regarding how to protect yourself and your loved ones, Ross added that they want to work together to ensure that everyone has the resources which they need to stay healthy.
Earlier, City of Cape Town celebrated 20 years of ART on the occasion of World Aids Day as it was observed on Dec 01, 2024 considering the theme ‘Equal Rights, Equal Access’.
Theme for 2024 aims to create awareness that every resident has access to preventive and treatment programmes.
ART has now expanded and reversed the high mortality rate. Under this programme millions of lives have been transformed. It has improved the health of patients living with HIV and has also played a crucial role in reducing new infections.
At present, more than 230, 000 residents in Cape Town are receiving the life-saving treatment. Almost 99% of the residents are receiving their treatment at a primary health care facility.
The support received from network is a testament to the collective efforts of the City of Cape Town. It is dedicated to make healthcare accessible for all.
More than 90% of HIV-positive people in the Western Cape knows their status as there have been significant strides in HIV testing their efforts. Several innovative approaches have been made by the researchers such as HIV self-screening, which is a key in reaching residents who may not attend the healthcare facilities.