Thank you very much, hon Chairperson. Hon Mazosiwe, government, through the Department of Social Development and its key strategic partners, established the National Action Committee for Children Affected by Aids, or Nacca. This is a co-ordinating multisectoral structure, comprised of government departments, civil society organisations, development agencies and donor organisations.
One of the objectives of Nacca is to provide a national co-ordinated community-based response to issues affecting children infected with and affected by HIV and Aids, in line with the HIV and Aids and STI Strategic Plan for South Africa, 2007-11.
The home and community-based care and support programme is one of the strategies adopted by government to provide comprehensive health and social services to children infected with and affected by HIV and Aids and their families. This programme ensures that children infected with and affected by HIV and Aids have access to services in their homes or communities. The services provided include psychosocial support; material assistance; bereavement counselling and support; and advocacy for the promotion and protection of rights regarding access to services, information awareness, capacity-building, and protection from abuse and other forms of maltreatment.
Hospices provide their services in accordance with the home and community- based care and support guidelines. They have in-patient and outreach services for people of all ages infected with and affected by HIV and Aids, including children.
Provision is made for short-term admissions for very ill patients of all ages, as well as respite care for their caregivers. Caregivers in hospices do home visits to provide ongoing care and support to patients in their homes.
Yes, teacher unions and school governing bodies were consulted, and the issues raised included psychosocial support for HIV-positive learners and confidentiality in such discussions.
Issues of confidentiality are catered for in the procedures and protocols on testing. All persons involved in counselling and testing procedures have to adhere to these protocols.
Government seeks to ensure that there is adequate support for HIV-positive learners, and we are also encouraging organs of civil society to assist in this regard. I thank you.
Details regarding government's plans to increase number of seats in Gauteng provincial legislature
5. Ms B V Mncube (ANC) asked the Deputy President:
Whether the government has any plans in place to increase the number of seats in the Gauteng provincial legislature (details furnished) in order to address the challenges of representivity through (a) policy intervention and (b) possible amendments to the current legislative arrangements regarding this matter; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CO74E