Pretoria – More than three million people have tested for HIV in Gauteng’s health facilities since the launch of HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) in April 2010.
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, as of 30 June 2011, 3 015 44 people tested for HIV in both public and private health institutions.
“In addition to HIV, 837 015 people were also screened for TB, 93 675 were tested for cervical cancer, 36 439 for diabetes and 63 328 for high blood pressure,” said department spokesperson Simon Zwane.
He added that since the start of the campaign, all public health facilities in the province provide a free walk-in service for health screening and HCT.
In an effort to further increase the number of people in the province who know their health status, the department has also extended the campaign to provincial events and shopping malls.
It also has mobile HCT services that go out to community gatherings as well as rural parts of the province where health facilities are not easily accessible.
“In association with NGOs and other community organisations, the department also takes advantage of any opportunity to encourage people, especially the youth, to lead healthy lifestyles and know their status,” Zwane said.
Launched by President Jacob Zuma, the HCT campaign aims to promote HIV counselling and testing, encouraging people to know their HIV status and to be screened for tuberculosis.
To date, almost 13 million have tested nationally, with 65 percent female and 30 percent male adults tested. – BuaNews
