4410 DEFAULT ON AIDS TREATMENT IN GAUTENG

4410 HIV/Aids patients have defaulted on anti-retroviral treatment in Gauteng since 2011.

This was revealed today by Gauteng Health MEC Hope Papo in response to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Papo, the major reasons for default include stigma, discrimination and denial.

Some HIV-positive mothers fail to give nevirapine to their babies to prevent infection.

Other people give false addresses or return to other provinces or countries in which they live.

It is disturbing that so many people default on AIDS treatment as this leads to ARV resistance and the need for expensive alternative treatment.

While some factors are outside the department's control, every effort should be made to ensure that AIDS patients take their medicine.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, September 17 2013

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