KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane, urged the nation to get vaccinated, know their HIV status and help beat the “double pandemic” of HIV/AIDS and Covid-19.
Speaking during a commemorative community outreach programme in Osizweni on 1 December, MEC Simelane called on citizens to know their HIV status, adding that only vaccination could protect them against Covid-19.
“We are pleading with our people to get tested for HIV so that their status can be known and they can be put on treatment if they are positive. In this day and age nobody should be dying of HIV/AIDS having not been on treatment, because it is easily accessible. HIV is not a death sentence. A person who takes their ARVs is like any other who is on chronic medication, such as that for diabetes, hypertension and many others, so we are encouraging our fellow compatriots to remain on treatment. If they do, even if Covid-19, which has given us a double pandemic as a country, enters their body, their immune system will have grown and become boosted to an extent that they may not necessarily become severely ill or die,” said MEC Simelane.
Along with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, a high HIV viral load and weakened immune system have been found to be among the leading causes of severe illness, complications, or death with Covid-19 cases. With no fewer than 7.7 million people living with HIV in South Africa today, the country has one of the world’s highest HIV prevalence rates, while the province of KZN is the second most affected by HIV and AIDS, with more than 1 632 million living with HIV. At least 42 619 new infections have been reported in the province in 2021 alone.
Meanwhile, within the space of just 20 months, 14 789 people have died due to Covid-19 in KZN. This year marks 40 years since the discovery of AIDS and World AIDS Day was commemorated throughout the country under the theme “Working Together to End Inequalities, AIDS, TB and COVID-19: Get Tested. Get Vaccinated. Adhere to Treatment.”
MEC Simelane further urged all citizens, older than 12 years old, to get vaccinated. “There is a lot of false information out there which is keeping people from getting vaccinated. The Covid-19 vaccine is just like any other and there is no reason for people to be afraid of it. It will enable the body to fight the virus if it enters your body,” said MEC Simelane.
Other programmes that will be strengthened include medical male circumcision and the promotion of the usage of condoms and other contraceptives in order to prevent unplanned and unwanted pregnancies.
