Issued by National Ministry of Health
28 November 2006
The Government’s Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) programme is progressing well with more than 1, 7 million people utilizing the VCT services in the past financial year.
Between April 2005 and March 2006, 1,715 588 received pre-HIV testing counseling and 80% (1,374 638) of them tested for HIV. About 35% (479 086) of those who tested were found to be HIV positive.
The progress in increasing the uptake into VCT is largely attributed to HIV and AIDS awareness campaign which encourages people to know their HIV status.
Government’s HIV and AIDS communication programme - Khomanani - particularly highlights the need for testing. In its media campaign with a theme: “Taking relationship to a higher level”, Khomanani encourages young partners to test for HIV.
The uptake is also enhanced by the wide accessibility of this service across the country. A total of 4172 VCT service points are operational in both medical and non-medical sites in all nine provinces. VCT is available in more than 90% of clinics.
Close to R26 million is allocated annually to all provinces for VCT services based on provincial targets to cover all resources necessary for quality VCT services.
We encourage everyone to utilise these services and any information relating to the utilisation of these services will be treated with maximum confidentiality. All testing is voluntary and users of this service are requested to give consent for HIV testing after appropriate counselling.
VCT is critical in enhancing HIV prevention efforts and improving the effectiveness of care and treatment services.
Attached is the breakdown of number of people tested per province.
VCT REPORT: APRIL 2005 – MARCH 2006
PROVINCES |
INDICATORS |
||||
|
Total Pre test counselled |
Tested |
Testing Rate (%) |
Tested positive |
Positivity Rate (%) |
Eastern Cape |
168,237 |
123,768 |
74% |
39,113 |
32% |
Free State |
61,262 |
40,283 |
66% |
16,632 |
41% |
Gauteng |
213,935 |
183,821 |
86% |
77,374 |
42% |
KwaZulu-Natal |
340,542 |
310,215 |
91% |
145,442 |
47% |
Limpopo |
174,191 |
113,077 |
65% |
34,883 |
31% |
Mpumalanga |
75,168 |
47,909 |
64% |
21,144 |
44% |
North West |
481,704 |
372,135 |
77% |
110,559 |
30% |
Northern Cape |
42,369 |
36,761 |
87% |
6,926 |
19% |
Western Cape |
158,180 |
146,669 |
93% |
27,013 |
18% |
National |
1,715,588 |
1,374,638 |
80% |
479,086 |
35% |
Contact
Spokesperson for the Minister of Health
Sibani Mngadi
0827720161
Or
Media Liaison Officer
Charity Bhengu
0836797424