The UNAids report suggests that 20% fewer people were infected globally with the virus in 2010, as compared to 1997, and that deaths from HIV and Aids decreased from 2,2 million in 2000 to 1,8 million in 2010. This is indeed good news. However, this was achieved by investing in programmes that helped to make a big difference and to save lives. The report also suggests that there are six key interventions that are necessary to accelerate the progress in the fight against the epidemic. These are, one, focusing on key population groups, which means those groups that are at higher risk of infection like sex workers and their clients, men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users; two, eliminating vertical transmission, that is the transmission of HIV and Aids from mother to child; three, behavioural change; four, condom promotion and distribution; five, voluntary medical male circumcision; and, six, treatment, care and support for those who have HIV. That is the global report and situation.
But what is the situation at home? Here at home the estimated number of people living with HIV and Aids is 5,63 million, of whom 5,3 million are above the age of 15 years, 3,3 million are women and 334 000 are children. Also, we know the prevalence rate among women attending our public-sector antenatal clinics or maternity clinics is around 30% now.
The good news, which was reported earlier this year, is that the transmission rate of HIV and Aids from mother to child halved between 2008 and 2010. It is now at 3,5%, while in 2008 it was 8%. While there is some variability in terms of provinces, I wish to single out the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Although KwaZulu-Natal is regarded as the epicentre of HIV and Aids, the good news is that with regard to lowering the transmission rate from mother to child, it is now the best province. They have reduced HIV and Aids transmission from mother to child by 2,9%. [Applause.]
Mpumalanga, which is regarded as having the second highest rate unfortunately, is still the highest at 5,7% in this regard, and we need to do something about it. We believe that we are clearly making progress in ensuring that fewer children get infected, but we need to do more. We have adopted a vision of eliminating mother-to-child transmission and we would like to see no children getting infected through vertical transmission by 2016. How will we do this? The model that has been adopted in KwaZulu- Natal, that of community-based interventions, will be rolled out nationally, such that each municipal ward will have primary health care workers who will work incessantly day and night to fight the scourge of HIV and Aids and other diseases.
Other prevention strategies will include expanding the provision of male and female condoms and working with all communities, families and individuals in ensuring that condoms are used consistently, that is with every sexual encounter. Every year we increase the number of male and female condoms distributed.
We have evidence that male circumcision reduces the transmission of the virus from women to men and, subsequently, will also decrease the number of men who transmit the virus to women. We have embarked nationally on a roll- out programme and we appeal to each and every male who is uncircumcised to please get circumcised. It is very important in the fight against this disease.
All our health facilities will be able to do circumcisions free of charge. However, this intervention must be part of a comprehensive package of sexual health messages, which include condom usage and behaving responsibly towards sexual partners.
All the evidence points to the need for combination prevention - no one prevention intervention works; they must be combined and targeted. As you know, the President announced new treatment regimens on World Aids Day in 2009, which was regarded by the world as a turning point for South Africa. I can announce today that because of the announcement on World Aids Day, we have made very important strides.
Firstly, on the massive HCT campaign, the HIV Counselling and Testing campaign, 13 million people presented themselves to be tested between April 2010 and June 2011, and more than eight million were screened for TB. If all South Africans make it a practice to be tested annually and screened for TB, we will make progress.
In April 2011, we had more than 1,4 million people who were on treatment, and we project that by the end of this financial year we will have 650 000 extra people receiving treatment.
What is our role as parliamentarians? Our role as parliamentarians is to ensure that we work with our constituencies in the following ways: encourage those that are negative to stay negative and to follow the simple rules we always preach; if they are positive, we should encourage them to live positively by getting treatment early, eating nutritious food and using condoms consistently.
As leaders, both nationally and in our communities, we have a responsibility to ensure that we walk the talk very openly on HIV and Aids and TB. As hon members may know, the life span of the current national strategic plan is about to come to an end as it has been in effect from 2007 to 2011. Now, we are unveiling a new strategic plan for the country from 2012 to 2016.
And, hon members, as I said earlier, because HIV/Aids is 30 years old this year, we will - apart from unveiling that strategy - be recognising 30 years of HIV/Aids. Hence, as in 2009, this year's World Aids Day will be attended by both the President and the Deputy President of the country in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality, and we urge all of you to avail yourselves regarding this very important event. I thank you. [Applause.]