Hon Deputy Speaker, this debate about whether South Africa is taking responsibility on the path towards having zero infections concerning the policy in action on tuberculosis and HIV cannot be limited to the government, Parliament and the Department of Health officials. The appropriate question should be whether South Africa, as a country, involving all the citizens and residents, is taking responsibility.
All of us are aware that the South African government's HIV/Aids National Strategic Plan for Health is twofold: reducing the incidence of new HIV infections by half and placing 80% of those in need onto antiretroviral treatment. Whilst the country was busy concentrating on HIV/Aids, the amount of people dying of drug-resistant TB progressively increased while we were under the impression and belief that TB was under control with figures showing that TB numbers were on the decline. This phenomenon was being experienced in the 80s and early 90s.
I will not repeat the figures involving HIV/Aids, but it is important to note that the large majority of people who have drug-resistant TB are also HIV-positive and die because they are diagnosed or receive medication too late.
According to the latest global estimates, 9,4 million people contracted active TB in 2009, of whom almost 2 million have died. The World Health Organisation's figures reveal that the estimated number of multidrug- resistant TB cases is around 500 000, of whom more than a quarter have died.
Despite the situation being bad, not all is doom and gloom. If more people take responsibility for their health, we can, as a country, achieve a lot. All of us appreciate that if a vaccine for HIV/Aids is discovered, it will be easier to stem the number of people dying. We are aware that there are a lot of HIV and Aids drug trials to come up with a vaccine all over the world. Here, at home, one such project, which requires a lot of support from government, is the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa, Caprisa, based at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Their gel can go a long way in empowering women in the fight against HIV/Aids.
The Foundation for Professional Development conducted a study in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality amongst learners concerning their involvement in sexual activities. This study was released early this year. One of the most important findings of the study was that 40% of Grades 8 to 12 learners were engaging in sexual activities, of whom half do so with more than one sexual partner. The interesting part of this is that they are fully aware of the A, B, C, and D message. They could state the message parrot-fashion: abstain, be faithful, condomise, or do it yourself. The unfortunate thing is that these learners do not see themselves as being part of the risk of contracting HIV, despite their acknowledgement of being sexually active.
This is the reason Cope supports the school-based health screening and HIV- testing campaign. This will provide the learners with a chance to engage with counsellors and health workers. This will happen irrespective of whether they choose to test for HIV or not. The pre- and post-test counselling experience will provide learners with the opportunity to interact with professionals.
As a result of this, we believe that the actions by the Minister in this regard should be acknowledged. We can go far as a country in implementing the policy on HIV and TB if we, as individuals, take responsibility for our health, embark on educational programmes targeting teenagers, provide effective and relevant messages to society as a whole, and ensure that access to drugs is affordable and efficient. I thank you. [Applause.]