Hon Deputy Speaker and hon members, there has been a marked increase in government's commitment in the fight against HIV and Aids since President Jacob Zuma's administration took over in 2009. Government policy on this pandemic has left no room for ambiguity. The people now understand that government's programmes in the fight against this pandemic are very, very effective.
Despite these achievements, HIV and Aids continue to cost us millions of lives globally. Now, with the estimated number of people living with HIV and Aids in South Africa standing at more than 5 million, much more still needs to be done to make sure that there is no avoidable loss of life.
In addition, given the fact that thousands of children still die every year due to poor adherence to mother-to-child transmission prevention mechanisms, we need to educate our people about the fact that the prevention of the transmission of the virus from mother to child is possible. The deaths of minors affect our infant mortality rate.
While infection rates still appear to be stubborn, the future looks bright, in large part owing to recent medical advances that give us hope that a lasting solution to the pandemic is on the horizon. In the meantime, we should rely on tried and tested ways of treating the virus to ensure that both TB and HIV and Aids are dealt with decisively. We thank you very much, Minister of Health. Ke nnete. Banna a ba ye thabeng gore dilo t?e di fokot?ege. I?e Morena. [That is quite true. Men must go for circumcision so as to reduce the infection of this pandemic. Thank you.]
The DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES: Deputy Speaker, according to the 2011 mid-year population estimates of Statistics SA, the total number of persons living with HIV in South Africa increased from an estimated 4,2 million in 2001 to 5,3 million by 2011. For 2011 an estimated 10,6% of the total population is HIV-positive. Approximately one fifth, which is 20%, of South African women in their reproductive ages are HIV- positive. This is very serious.
The estimated number of adults over 15 years receiving antiretroviral therapy, or ARVs, in 2005 was approximately 100 000. In 2010 the number increased to 1 million. So that is an increase by ten. The same applies to children. The estimated number of children who received antiretroviral therapy in 2005 was 12 000. Today the number is 105 000. This is also an increase by ten. This is a special achievement for this department and the Minister. We all agree that the department must still broaden the coverage of antiretroviral treatment to all HIV-positive people. We also know that it becomes very expensive for the South African taxpayer to do that.
Die Minister en die departement moet geluk gewens word met die sukses wat hulle die afgelope tyd in Suid-Afrika in die stryd teen di siekte behaal het. Ek het geluister na die ANC-spreker wat die ANC-regering vir hul sukses geprys het. Ek was 'n getuie van verskillende debatte in hierdie Huis waar die vorige President, mnr Mbeki, en die vorige Minister van Gesondheid die gekste argumente oor MIV/Vigs gebruik het. Dit was argumente deurspek met politiek en samesweringsteorie, terwyl duisende mense besig was om besmet te word of dood te gaan.
Maar ek wens graag hierdie Minister en sy departement geluk. Die beste en die goedkoopste metode bly egter steeds voorkoming. Met 'n Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking waarvan 80% aandui dat hulle Christene is of geloof het, is die boodskap van 'n enkel huweliksmaat en 'n vermyding van losbandigheid steeds die belangrikste been van so 'n veldtog. Kom ons gaan kyk in Uganda hoe presies hiermee groot sukses behaal is. Ek dank u. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[The Minister and the department should be congratulated on the success that they have recently achieved in the struggle against this disease in South Africa. I have listened to the ANC speaker who praised the ANC government for its success. I witnessed different debates in this House where the former President, Mr Mbeki, and the former Minister of Health raised the most absurd arguments about HIV/Aids. These were arguments full of politics and conspiracy theories, whilst thousands of people were being infected or dying.
But I would like to congratulate the current Minister and his department. However, prevention is still the best and cheapest method. With a South African population of which 80% is indicating that they are either Christians or have a religion, the message of having a single spouse and avoiding immoral behaviour is still the most important pillar of such a campaign. Let us go and look in Uganda at exactly how great success has been achieved with this. I thank you. [Applause.]]