Madam Deputy Speaker, this is 2013 and we are still faced with the serious HIV/Aids epidemic. However, much has been accomplished since world leaders met at the 2006 United Nations General Assembly. We have to accept the fact that Aids is an incurable and sexually transmitted disease. This would have achieved better results had the following been done: training of health personnel; development of national guidelines; and the establishment of supporting data gathering systems that we see of late.
With this, the UCDP wants to say: Well done, Mr Minister, you are doing your best. [Applause.] Though much still remains to be covered, services have improved consistently over the years with regard to quality and the availability of antiretrovirals, ARVs, at affordable costs; having one capsule instead of many; having more negative babies from HIV-positive mothers; as well as home-based care and adherence support.
Kgomo go bidiwa e e gogang. [Dogs only bark at a moving car.]
There are some loopholes. Great attention must be devoted to those who are difficult to reach, including rural populations like Kgokgole, Bonabona, Tsowe, Mancha and Mathateng, who make up a substantial proportion of those currently with low access to HIV services.
Groups that are at high risk of HIV infection such as sex workers, long- distance truck drivers and migrant workers should also be a major focus of attention. Effective education and Aids awareness are vital to the prevention of the spread of HIV. The encouragement of safe behaviour at the workplace and within the community is very important.
Parents, patients and everybody, please stop allowing drugs to be made out of Ritonavir, RTV. It's high time that communities be taught to be responsible for their families. South Africa is a Christian country. Communities, let's have a special day to pray for this disease. God is good and He will answer our prayers. Thank you. [Applause.]