Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon Minister, Deputy Minister and hon Members of Parliament, it always gives me great pleasure and a feeling of humility to address this House. This time even more so, because I am given an opportunity, once more, to speak on a very important matter that has always been synonymous with the health of the people of South Africa.
It is almost 41 months since the day the country and the world witnessed the launch of the HIV Counselling and Testing campaign in South Africa, in Gauteng. This is the step that set South Africa on the path of no return, as the Minister of Health and the President took the bold and ambitious step of launching one of the biggest HIV Counselling and Testing, HCT, campaigns that South Africa and the world has ever seen before.
It is this launch that got the whole world talking, because the country moved from denial to reality, from debate to action and from arguments to consensus on the prevention of diseases, especially HIV/Aids. The launch reshaped the health agenda of South Africa in so far as all preventable deceases are concerned, especially HIV.
With this launch, South Africa shaped the agenda of the world, because for the first time people realised that it is possible to be tested. Yhe head of state, in the person of President Jacob Zuma, led from the front by being tested and declaring the results of his HIV test in public. This great leader of our people used the opportunity to demystify the myth and fears around HIV testing. The President truly lived up to the slogan of this government, "Together, we can do more". He demonstrated that, together with him in the forefront, the country can do more.
As Members of Parliament, we go to our villages, not only for constituency work, but to join men and women who live there. We have seen the way our people are ravaged by preventable deceases such as HIV, tuberculosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc. We have seen helpless young men and women suffer from these illnesses. Some have lost their sight, others their limbs; some are on insulin; and others are on the directly observed therapy support. Many young lives have been lost due to HIV/Aids. We have buried many people, to the point where it is now common for people to ask the question. Who is next? We cannot allow a situation where people die from these preventable and, at times, curable diseases.
With this launch, we are taking a step that will become a lasting legacy for generations to come. This is the best thing that can help to define what this House stands for. This House must be an embodiment of transparency. By doing this publicly, we are showing that we can be transparent, even with our own private lives. In this way, we will earn the respect of our electorate.
I am certain that hon members know how fulfilling it is to know their status. It is fulfilling to know where you stand so that you can take steps to either prevent new diseases or to live positively and take care of yourself and not complicate your life from the diseases that you may already have. The benefits of the HTC campaign are manifold. One thing that comes to mind is that early detection assists early treatment. In that way, there will be zero complications.
Those who know their illnesses also know their treatment, and how to live with them. When people know their status, they also know how to avoid any action that may complicate their lives. They know better than those who have not been tested. Testing for any disease is a powerful tool that people use to ensure that they stay healthy. Those who are found to have a disease of one kind or another live better.
The benefit of HIV testing is that members will be more empowered and be in a better position to know where they stand with the particular disease. This testing is one of many ways of ensuring that the vision of the Department of Health for a long and healthy life is attained. Remember an old adage, that a journey of many miles starts with a single step. This simple and single step that looks very insignificant will go a long way to ensure that we are also part of the brigade that takes a vow that a long and healthy life is not a dream, but is attainable.
As we are going to launch this campaign, I am more than confident that this will liberate many of us who thought that we were healthy whilst we were not. It will set us free from fear, free from poor management of our lives, looking for a solution in wrong places, and free from wondering what is happening with our bodies.
As we take the test today, or perhaps tomorrow and many other days to come, we will be freeing ourselves and someone who looks up to us, because they want to see their leaders going first before they follow. Perhaps we should make this a six-monthly exercise to ensure that we stay healthy. Those who have one disease or another can then seek help in time.
This is what has driven this government to seeing the need to invest in the prevention of diseases and the promotion of good health. We will thereby keep many of our people out of hospital, because they will know ahead of time that they need care.
It is my sincere and very firm view that the health system of this country will stand and fall on the prevention of diseases and the promotion of health. As such, today when we take the test, we will be on the path of preventing diseases. This is what the ANC as a ruling party saw a long time ago - that unless we prevent diseases, life expectancy will not improve.
Why don't we adopt an attitude that says, whenever we talk to South Africans, we should encourage them to take the test. Whenever we greet people, we should say, I have been tested, have you? I am saying to you, I have been tested - have you? We can lead the HIV testing process in our constituencies to ensure that what the Minister has said is really taking place. Remember that while you are doing it as a leader, for people to follow, you are also doing it for yourselves, for your own sake, for your family, and for the sake of your children. Your family and community love you. So, know as I do: better life, long life, healthy life and great life begins with you; the time is now and now is the time. In conclusion, as Members of Parliament we should start talking very vocally about moral regeneration, moral renewal and behavioural change as a tool in the fight against HIV/Aids. We are not supposed to come and stand here and try to score political points. When we talk about HIV testing, we should do it together as South Africans. Therefore, we must take this forward. Let us all go and be tested. Thank you. [Applause.]
Debate concluded.