Madam Deputy Speaker, few crises in sub-Saharan Africa have affected human health and threatened national, social and economic progress in quite the way that HIV/Aids has.
The Bill of Rights says that everyone has the right to have access to social security. If people are unable to support themselves and their dependants, they have the right to get social assistance from government.
In South Africa, once people are diagnosed with HIV and their CD4 count is below 200, they are able to obtain special grants to assist them with accessing food and other basic necessities. Each year, however, HIV- positive South Africans undergo a re-examination of their HIV status and general health. If it is found that their CD4 count has stabilised, they lose their special grants. This has a devastating effect on all South Africans who are currently living with HIV. Meeting immediate food, nutrition and other basic needs is essential if HIV/Aids-affected households are to live with dignity and security.
The IFP believes that providing nutritional care and support for people living with HIV is an important part of the treatment of this disease. The IFP would, therefore, like to call on government to look at a dedicated social support grant to assist people living with HIV and Aids, especially those whose grants have been stopped due to their CD4 counts stabilising. They too still need to have access to food and other basic needs. I thank you. [Applause.]