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National Aids/HIV launch by ANC Youth League
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Speeches and Media Releases
 Health

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 EASTERN  CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

THE ADDRESS BY THE  MEC FOR HEALTH-DR GOQWANA

ON THE NATIONAL HIV/AIDS LAUNCH BY THE ANC YOUTH LEAGUE

AT KING WILLIAMS TOWN ON

23 AUGUST 1999.



The Honourable Premier Reverend Stofile;
 The Honourable Mayor Mr Tyilo;
 Distinguished Guests and Dignitaries among us;
 Ladies and Gentlemen;
 Comrades and Friends, and
 The Young People in Attendance;

I greet you all in the name of the ANC, ANC Youth League, The Provincial Administration and the committed people of this, our  Province,The 
Eastern Cape.

The scourge of the HIV virus in our beautiful province of the Eastern Cape cannot be overemphasised. At the moment, Antenatal Research 
figures show the rate of people positive with the virus towards the end of the last year in the Eastern Cape at 15.9 percent and growing. 
The growth rate compared to the 1997 figure of 12.61 percent is about 26 percent. The estimate for this year is rather gloomy and is 
anticipated at around 18% or more. The most affected group, according to the findings is that HIV is most prevalent in the 20-24year old 
age category. In 1990, the prevalence of the virus in the Province was a mere 0.4%. Over the years the prevalence figure has increased 
dramatically by up to forty(40) times with a doubling time or period of about fourteen (14) months.

The likely-hood of this scenario is that the doubling period, due to the massive increase in size of the infected, is bound to decrease 
dramatically from fourteen months to less than twelve (12) months. By the end of 1998, approximately 375 000 people were living with HIV or 
Aids in this Province with young adults having the highest rate of infection.

The figures speak for themselves Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen. The picture is not good for simply put, it means that the Eastern Cape 
Province has one of the fastest HIV growth rates in the whole world !

The overall population of the Eastern Cape is approximately six(6) million. Of that, a figure as high as 20% of the sexually active 
population may be infected. The figure of the infected, however, is much higher in certain areas where the population density is above the 
provincial average. The Metropolitan areas of East London, Port Elizabeth and Umtata, for example have, according to the findings, an above 
average rate of people infected with the virus.

The Griqualand/Kei region with a particular emphasis on Bizana and Umzimkhulu districts can also be mentioned in the same breath. This 
concentration can be attributed to the fact that the region shares a border with KwaZulu/Natal region which has a high incidence of the 
disease.

The most intriguing aspect about this deadly scourge is the fact that the virus cuts across the social, economic and political divides. The 
virus is also prevalent among the socially responsible and economically active sector of society. The implication thereof is that is that 
subsequent casualties or death which is the inevitable consequence in this sector will result in the decline in the overall human resource 
capacity of our province and the country at large.

To add to the already grim picture-A significant percentage of hospital admissions are attributed to the advent of the virus or disease 
related illnesses. At the Umtata General Hospital, for example, the virus amounts to almost twenty percent of all admissions. The likely-
hood is that the figure will be higher in areas with the flash-point figures I have already mentioned.

Due to the characteristics of HIV, as time passes more and more HIV patients will develop AIDS and they will occupy 60% of our hospital 
beds by the year 2004.

The direct and visible economical impact of the disease is beyond fiscal or financial contemplation.

According to the latest studies 35% of the HIV positive patients will develop AIDS in five years time. It means that in this Province until 
the year 2004 we will have 131 250 patients with AIDS. On average such patients are likely to spent between 30 to 60 days in hospital. With 
a rate of R400 per day this number of AIDS patients will cost the tax payer about R525 million per year without calculating the inflation 
rate. The truth of the matter is that we can never afford that and the health services simply collapse under the pressures.

The problem of HIV among the young people is very much a matter of serious concern especially when one looks at the pregnancy rate amongst 
teenagers and the youth. Provincial figures have, it must be stated, have not been reduced. This is clear indication of an increase in 
unprotected sex despite the concerted HIV safe sex message. The implication therein is that there is, generally, reluctance to safe sex 
message or condom usage complacency within the sexually active populace is high.

The latest figure on condom usage in all age groups, is a mere twenty percent meaning that one in five sexually active persons engages in 
unprotected sex of some sort.

Comrades, It is time we open our eyes to the possible demise or destruction of entire generations. The facts speak for themselves-The 
HIV/Aids awareness program is not reaching the targeted audiences. Of course credit can be given where due on all the initiatives and this 
is not to argue or say that we be complaisant by sitting back and doing little or nothing about the virus or the disease. Let us conduct an 
introspection on our activities and concede to the reality that we are fighting, by the look of things, a losing battle.

It is for this reason we, as the Provincial Administration or Government, came to a conclusion that we need to initiate a multi-pronged 
approach to this problem. This will consist of all government departments as well as all community based structures and non-governmental 
organisations. I also wish to extend my invitation to all labour unions, political and socio-economic groupings to join us in this 
endeavour.

I am therefore pleased to announce today that the Executive Council has agreed that we establish in earnest the Provincial Aids Commission. 
This will consist of the Community Based Organisations, NGOs, as well as all government tiers. At the helm of this Commission shall be the 
Premier of the Province, Reverend Stofile supported by the entire Executive Council.

The departments of Health, Education, Welfare, Sports Arts and Culture, Agriculture, Transport, Public Works, Local Government and Housing, 
Safety and Security, Economic Affairs and Finance shall also be represented by their respective Top Managers. The participation of Local 
Government shall be solicited vigorously as well as the Academic Institutions in the Province.

A link with the National Government shall be enhanced with the Inter-Ministerial Forum under the Chairmanship of the Deputy President, Mr 
Jacob Zuma whose task is to strategize, ensure implementation and monitor progress of projects or initiatives such as Government Aids 
Action Plan. I am also pleased to announce that two officials under the payroll of the National Health Department are to assume duty within 
the province on awareness co-ordination within and outside government. Their contribution shall surely be most welcome.

The Provincial Aids Commission will meet four times a year on a strategic perspective with intent to mobilise and expedite massive but 
concerted awareness campaigns. Amongst the fundamental objectives of the commission is the integral program towards de-stigmatising the 
virus or the disease.

The impact of the virus or the disease is to be looked at entirely. This means that the social impact of the disease as well as other 
consequences will be looked at in depth with a view to kick starting a socially responsible but concerted approach to fight HIV and Aids.

We are a caring nation and it is our moral duty to care for our sick. Due to the likely strain in the Health Services, various other 
options such as home care or training thereof will be discussed for they are just as effective.

I am also pleased to announce that we have embarked on an initiative for free testing of the HIV virus. This will take place at health 
centres across the province with proper support mechanisms such as counsellors and other trained officials. As the idea of the Provincial 
Aids Commission is government initiated, I call upon all civil servants to heed to the call to test freely for the virus as an example to 
the society at large to follow.

In conclusion, comrades, ladies and gentlemen, HIV/Aids virus will impact directly on almost all of us and this is no scare mongering. 
Simply put, the impact of this disease is likely to be the most devastating or catastrophic experience to befall modern mankind with, 
directly or indirectly, an estimated quarter of a million deaths nationally by the year 2002. This horrible plague will affect, drain and 
disorganise all the various sectors of society but none like the Health department.

Let me take this opportunity to state that we fought apartheid against overwhelming odds and won. The onus is on us comrades, ladies and 
gentlemen to once more regroup, resolve and steadfastly face the battle against HIV and Aids. This we will realise by taking the message 
aggressively to every doorstep of every home, institution and workplace in the province and the country beyond.

I also call upon you, the Youth, despite your political affiliations an allegiances, to galvanise and perpetually hold firm in this, the 
war to end all wars.

Lastly, the HIV/Aids epidemic can still be contained with safer sex practices, more awareness and responsible behaviour. We should progress 
from being ignorant, complaisant and uninformed to an example by our determined resolve to overcome the affliction of this virus.

I take this opportunity to call on you, guardians of this critical sector of society, to hold steadfastly and never despair. It is our 
people with HIV/AIDS and such an impediment should not be perceived as a burden but a challenge.

Thank You

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