Gauteng Targets 326,346 Disengaged Patients in #CloseTheGap HIV Treatment Campaign

(The Post News)- The #CloseTheGap campaign has been launched with a focus on Gauteng, which has the largest number of patients who have disengaged from HIV treatment, totaling 326,346 individuals. The primary aim of this campaign is to track and re-engage these individuals in HIV care, ensuring they receive the necessary antiretroviral treatment (ART) to maintain their health and prevent the progression to AIDS.

Monwabisi Mbasa, Deputy Chairperson of the Civil Society Forum in Gauteng, underscored the importance of this campaign. With ART available at no cost in all public health facilities, the goal is to ensure that the 326,346 disengaged patients in Gauteng are re-initiated with treatment.

“At Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, we are launching the #CloseTheGap campaign to re-engage 1.1 million individuals who have been lost to HIV care. Gauteng significantly contributes to this number, with 326,000 people who have disengaged from treatment. Today marks the start of our efforts to track these individuals, link them back to care, and respond effectively to our national mandate. We hope that everyone, including community members, will assist us in this crucial mission to bring people back into care and support their health.” Mbasa explained.

ART is crucial as it effectively suppresses HIV, preventing its progression to AIDS and maintaining overall health. The #CloseTheGap campaign emphasizes increasing access to this life-saving treatment, improving men’s health, and enhancing pediatric and adolescent HIV care.

Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla, and MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, officially launched the campaign at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. Before this, they conducted a walk-through at the Lillian Ngoyi Community Health Centre in Soweto, highlighting the government’s commitment to the campaign’s success.

The #CloseTheGap campaign supports the UNAIDS “95-95-95” targets, particularly the second target, which requires 95% of those diagnosed with HIV to receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. Prompt initiation of treatment upon diagnosis is essential for meeting these goals.