The latest prevalence and behaviour survey that was released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) recently showed that HIV prevalence (the number of people living with HIV) has decreased and is now 1,3% lower than the previous survey in 2017.
Organisations supporting people with HIV/Aids need more funding to keep responding to the needs of patients and those affected.
So says Sophie Hobbs, head of communications for Nacosa.
Nacosa is a community service organisation working to build strong, equal, and healthy communities free from HIV, Aids, TB and gender-based violence (GBV).
Hobbs says: “Often the funding is linked to targets. We realise that is important, but if you are a community organisation and you are working on the ground. There are so many factors and constraints. We need to look at giving organisations flexible funding and long-term sustainable funding that they need to keep going.”
Hobbs says communities and community-based organisations (CBO) have been the heartbeat of the Aids response for many years.
“We must let communities lead us in reaching those that are the hardest to reach and getting us through this final mile. They understand the specific issues on the ground and are trusted by communities to deliver services.”
The latest prevalence and behaviour survey that was released by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) recently showed that HIV prevalence (the number of people living with HIV) has decreased and is now 1,3% lower than the previous survey in 2017.
She says women and young people continue to be most at risk. She adds that HIV prevalence is two times higher among young women between 15 and 24 and three times higher in women aged 25-29.
“Unfortunately, because of the success of the treatment programme, young people are less aware and concerned about HIV. Young people don’t think it is a problem that affects them.”
Hobbs explains that while South Africa is making progress against the 95-95-95 goals, viral load suppression (which measures successful HIV treatment) was lower among youth, with the lowest rate among women living with HIV between 15 and 24 and men living with HIV between 25 and 34.
According to Hobbs, stigma and discrimination continue to drive the epidemic and prevent people from accessing prevention and treatment services.
“Most at risk are victims of GBV and intimate partner violence where mostly women are prevented from accessing care by their intimate partners. Sexual violence is a major risk factor for HIV.
“Marginalised groups like sex workers, people who use drugs, people living on the street and prison inmates are more at risk and struggle to access treatment because of the stigma.”
She explains that much more should be done to bridge that gap.
“We have done well with treatment and testing, but now we need to get those groups on treatment and get them to keep taking their treatment.
“We need to reach young people and get them to take up prevention options; human rights abuses that impact on particularly vulnerable people including GBV, which is a major driver of HIV; ensuring people can access services in the community at a time and place that suits them; community organisations need flexible funding, capacity building and networking.”
Dr Nosi Kalawi, a medical officer for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, oversees the HAST (HIV and AIDS / STI / TB) programme in the Northern and Tygerberg District.
Kalawi, who is based at the Bellville Health Park, says in the Northern sub-district, at least 27 600 people are HIV positive and aware of it, while 21 000 are on ARVs and 17 000 have their virus undetectable (suppressed). In the Tygerberg sub-district: 34 500 are HIV positive and aware of it, while 24 000 are on ARVs and 19 000 have their virus undetectable (suppressed).
Kalawi said in a press statement testing for HIV is important.
“Test regularly because if you test negative while you are sexually active, you get an opportunity to be offered a daily pill for preventing HIV and keeping you negative. On the other hand, if you test positive, the sooner you know the better, as you will receive life-saving treatment which improves your immunity, prevents infections and cancers that are associated with HIV, and you will have a better outcome and good quality of life.”
For more information visit www.nacosa.org.za
