Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - June 1, 2001
Declining: The spread of HIV/Aids among teenagers, according to Gauteng MEC for Health Gwen Ramokgopa, as shown by ante-natal survey results. Ramokgopa says the rate of infection is down from 20% to 16%. On the mother-to-child transmission of HIV, Ramokgopa says health authorities "remain mindful" of the fact that the administration of Nevirapine is not a panacea.
Lethal weapon (1): A special HIV/Aids directorate, independent of the Department of Health, to drive the campaign against the disease is needed, according to the Democratic Alliance. The DA also called for a firm commitment from the country's leaders to drive the message about HIV/Aids home. Western Cape MEC for Health Nick Koornhof told the seminar HIV prevalence in his province stands at 8,7%, by far the lowest in South Africa, due to a programme providing free Nevirapine to prevent mother-to-child transmission at birth. According to Koornhof, of the 538 babies born under the programme who had been tested, 90% were HIV-negative.
Lethal weapon (2): Condoms, which Koornhof called for, distributed free of charge at schools will help combat the spread of HIV/Aids. "To think that schoolchildren are not having sex is ... like thinking we are not going to have rugby next season in South Africa." Koornhof said condom distribution should be linked to a life skills programme.
Sources: Sapa and www.redribbon.co.za
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