World Aids Day: Government committed to well-being of citizens – Mabuza

Speaking during the annually held World Aids Day, the country’s deputy president David Mabuza said the government has taken great strives to ensure citizens are well taken care of.

Mabuza addressed attendees at the held ceremony in Saselamani Stadium, Xikundu Villag, Limpopo, on Wednesday, 01 December.

South Africa’s deputy president started his speech by extending his greetings to the various diplomats and stakeholders.

He then briefed guests and the public on the government’s progress in vaccines; stating the government has administered over 25 million doses to 16 million individuals.

Furthermore, Mabuza said the government remains “optimistic that citizens will soon take the initiative to vaccinate to meet the set target.”
 
“In June, this year, South Africa participated in the UN High Level Meeting on AIDS where world leaders committed themselves, through Political Declaration, to end HIV/AIDS and Inequalities in their respective countries,” announced the deputy president.
 
He further stated SA formed part of nations that committed themselves to end HIV/AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

Mabuza called on to all South Africans to work together in ensuring that, without distinction of any kind, all have equal access to health services free from discrimination.

“2021 theme indicates that inequality; HIV/AIDS; and pandemics interlinked with each other. It further implies that the objective of ending AIDS will lead to an equitable society; with strengthened health systems; and improved social security,” added Mabuza.
 
Mabuza once again called on to people to not smear; stigmatize; or discriminate against those who test positive for any disease, especially HIV or TB. His call came with encouragement for people to use available resources to fight these public health threats.

“Our fight is real, TB is a curable disease, and HIV is a manageable chronic condition,” emphasized ANC’s deputy president.

“Working together can end inequality; AIDS; TB; and Covid-19. People should test, vaccinate and adhere to treatment,” Mabuza concluded.
 
The year, 2021 marks 40 years since the report of the first cases of HIV/AIDS. Since then, over 75 million people worldwide fell victim to HIV/AIDS, 8 million of which are South Africans.

Moreover, over 33 million people worldwide died from AIDS-related illnesses since the start of the global AIDS epidemic.  
 
South African mathematical HIV epidemic model estimates that over 3,6 million South Africans died from HIV-related illnesses between 1985-2020.