Issued by Ministry of Health
7 November 2006
The Ministry of Health would like to announce that a tender for the implementation of the Government AIDS communication programme - Khomanani - has been advertised in the Tender Bulletin.
The bidders have until December 01, 2006 to submit their proposals for the tender that will cover the period from 2006-2009 financial years.
Khomanani was acknowledged yesterday as one of the AIDS awareness campaigns that are having an effect in modifying sexual behaviour during the release of the findings of the first South African HIV and AIDS communication survey for 2006.
The outcomes of this survey come at an opportune time as the Department of Health is in the process of finalizing the Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS and STI for the period 2007 - 2011 which will be unveil on the World AIDS Day (December 01).
The winning service providers for the Khomanani tender will provided provide communication support for the implementation of this revised Plan. The Plan is aimed at guiding the country's efforts to reduce the number of new HIV infections and to minimize the impact of HIV and AIDS on individuals, families, communities and society.
The Plan will guide the country's response to HIV, AIDS and STI control in a manner that ensures continuity of previous strategies while introducing additional interventions required to keep up with recent advances in knowledge.
The HIV prevalence profile, as demonstrated in latest Report on the National HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-prevalence Survey in South Africa, continues to confirm the expectation and projections of numerous groups whose models suggest that South Africa will begin to see a decline in the prevalence of HIV.
Several studies conducted over the years show that intervention programmes, which emphasise prevention have a very important role in moderating HIV prevalence and the epidemiology of HIV infections in general.
The Ministry of Health reaffirms its commitment to work together with all sectors of our society to strengthen HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care programmes as a means to curb the spread of HIV infection and reduce the impact of AIDS on our society.
The prospective bidders are invited to a compulsory briefing session on November 17, 2006.
Contact: Sibani Mngadi, Spokesperson for the Minister of Health