AIDS TREATMENT PLUNGES IN GAUTENG

Anti-retroviral treatment for HIV/Aids in Gauteng has plunged from 944 000 patients a year ago to 592 000 patients.

This alarming drop is revealed in the Gauteng Health Department's Fourth Quarter report recently tabled in the Gauteng Legislature, which covers the January to March period this year.

What happened to 352 000 patients who used to receive life-saving ARVs?

The department blames "poor data management at health facilities" and aims to train more data capturers.

This is a poor excuse. The department should be keeping accurate records to ensure that patients do not default on their treatment, which appears to be happening on a large scale according to the figures.

Another concern is that HIV testing has dropped from 93% last year to 16% according to the report.

Drastic action must be taken to ensure HIV/Aids testing and treatment is stepped up in Gauteng, otherwise we will lose all the gains made by the availability of ARVs that have made this a manageable disease rather than a death sentence.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, July 7 2014

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