The acting Deputy Director-General, Mr. Ramphelane Morewane. Image: National Department of Health shared via X @HealthZA.
(The Post News)– Tuesday, March 8, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in Gauteng’s fight against HIV. A new campaign roadshow has been launched in Johannesburg, targeting individuals living with the virus who are not receiving treatment. This initiative comes as part of the “Close The Gap” campaign, which aims to close a staggering treatment gap of 1.1 million by December 2025.
The acting Deputy Director-General, Mr Ramphelane Morewane, addressed attendees, emphasising the importance of tracing patients lost to follow-up. “We must work together to link individuals back to care,” he stated. Gauteng holds the highest number of people living with HIV who are disengaged from care. Recent statistics reveal that 326,346 people in the province need urgent treatment to reach global health targets.
The province’s ongoing struggle with HIV remains alarming. Gauteng is South Africa’s most populous province but faces significant challenges. Despite advancements in treatment, reaching the second 95% target — which signifies that 95% of those diagnosed are in care — is proving difficult. The roadshow is set to tackle this issue directly.
The statistics are eye-opening. The City of Johannesburg accounts for over 141,000 individuals needing treatment. Ekurhuleni follows with over 90,000, and the City of Tshwane with nearly 55,000. The West Rand and Sedibeng regions also show considerable gaps. These figures highlight the need for focused interventions in each district.
On a broader scale, South Africa has made strides in its fight against HIV. Approximately 8 million people live with the virus, representing about 12.8% of the population. Notably, around 6.2 million individuals are currently on antiretroviral treatment, which gives a treatment coverage rate of 78%. However, while 95% of people know their HIV status, only 81.5% are receiving treatment.
From mid-2023 to mid-2024, an estimated 178,000 new infections occurred, highlighting the urgent need for increased prevention strategies. Gender disparities are also evident, with 5.2 million women living with HIV compared to 2.6 million men. Addressing these disparities is critical to curbing the epidemic.
The provincial government is determined to elevate access to treatment and prevention measures, including widespread education about condom use. The “Close The Gap” initiative is an example of Gauteng’s commitment to achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. This effort underlines the goal of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
As the campaign unfolds, collaboration between government, healthcare providers, and communities will be essential. Together, they can pave the way towards a healthier, HIV-free future for all South Africans.
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