Thank you, hon Deputy Speaker. Hon Deputy President, a review of our efforts in addressing the HIV and Aids epidemic over the past 20 years paints a mixed picture. There have been many advances and many good stories, which you alluded to in your comprehensive response, in relation to HIV treatment. It is also encouraging that more people are being tested and more people are now receiving ARV treatment.
However, regardless of these advances, stigma and discrimination still persist for many people living with or affected by HIV and Aids. Former President Nelson Mandela once said, "Many people suffering from Aids and not killed by the disease itself are killed by the stigma surrounding everybody who has HIV and Aids."
As part of last year's World Aids Day theme: Know your status, Cheka Impilo, how does government intend or plan to address the stigma and discrimination as a measure in mitigating the impact of HIV and Aids as people are responding to the positive call by government for more testing so that they enter into treatment? [Applause.]