​The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has surpassed its annual target for the number of people tested for HIV, initiated on treatment and retained in care by achieving over 5.4 million tests compared to a target of about 4.9 million for the 2023/24 financial year. 

This achievement is attributed to the expansion of HIV self-screening and index contact testing and community testing services supported by nonprofit organisations as well as various HIV testing campaigns rolled out across all five health districts in the province. 

As a result of the preventative care provided to pregnant women as part of the antenatal care treatment, the province has recorded a low HIV positivity rate of 0.2% among infants. 

“The low mother to child transmission rate is attributed to the effective implementation of the Vertical Transmission Prevention programme for antenatal clients who test positive, as well as the provision of pre-exposure (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis for antenatal and postnatal clients who test negative. 

“Our commitment to combating HIV/AIDS has been unwavering. We will continue to maintain our focus on improving prevention, testing and treatment services to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko while presenting the GDoH’s annual performance report at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature recently. 

Furthermore, the report highlights a decrease in HIV positivity rate among those aged 15 – 24 by 0.2 percentage, from 1.3% during 2022/23 to 1.1% during 2023/24 financial year. This reduction is attributed to the implementation of preventative programmes such as PrEP. 

The Department has also strengthened measures to ensure that adults who tested positive for HIV adhere to the antiretroviral treatment (ART). 

These includes the booking system and pre-retrieval of files prior to patients’ appointments, strengthening of daily tracing of missed appointments on the same day, tracking and tracing of patients with late missed appointments and their referral to Ward-based Outreach Teams (WBOTs). The updating of patient contact details at every visit and transition of clinically stable patients to differentiated care modalities will also be strengthened. 

In addition, the GDoH has trained a total of 5 845 healthcare workers on the new ART guidelines and compliance with guideline implementation will be closely monitored. 

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Issued by the Gauteng Department of Health