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Today marks World Aids day. It is a time to reflect on how we continue to fight for an Aids-free generation.
 

 
In order for South Africa to overcome the HIV/Aids burden, issues of governance need to be addressed. The DA will be submitting our recommendations to improve governance around HIV/Aids to the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, to request he:
 
 

• Strengthen the national HIV prevention programme by combining an increase in access to vital services (such as Medical Male Circumcision and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission); 
• Promote behavioural changes (use of condoms) and continue the fight against the stigma associated with HIV/Aids (which should include addressing the deep gender disparity that often drives this);
• Reinvigorate the South Africa National Aids Council (SANAC), by streamlining efforts of HIV/Aids governance;
• Re-establish the Parliamentary Joint Committee on HIV and Aids, as this is critical in enhancing oversight of national HIV/Aids programmes, and its mandate should be expanded to include TB;
• Increase government support of innovative initiatives, particularly in the area of vaccine research and development; and
• Greater funding for our local role-players, such as the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), is urgently needed, in light of the collaboration around South African trials of the Thai vaccine (RV144).

 
Far too many people are still contracting HIV/Aids. The current approach is working slowly, but will take decades to resolve the Aids pandemic in South Africa.
 

 
The welcomed initiative of a national roll-out of the fixed-dose combination pill has been impeded by poor provincial administration, affecting hundreds of thousands of people living with HIV/Aids.
 

 
The DA encourages all South Africans to get tested and to exercise partner choice smartly. As we celebrate World Aids Day with the theme of “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An Aids-free Generation”, globally, let us unite in the fight against HIV/Aids.
 

 
The vision of a future Aids-free generation is indeed a compelling one – but this can only be realised if we make the right long term policy choices now.

Issued by DA