Health Department failing young women at risk of HIV/AIDS

Every year the Department of Health is obliged to release a report of nationwide HIV prevalence rates. And every year the release of the report is late.

This renders the data it contains less reliable and therefore hampers the development of policy initiatives to combat the spread of HIV/Aids.

The national government can launch as many grand-sounding initiatives as it likes, but if it does not get the basics right they will come to nothing. President Zuma must be mindful of this when he launches his HIV/Aids four year plan on Thursday.

The National Antenatal Sentinel HIV & Syphilis Prevalence Report, due for release in March, is now eight months overdue. Last year's report was seven months overdue.

The Survey is the only comprehensive review of prevalence rates in the indicator group of pregnant women across the country and contains important statistics and trends relating to South Africa's HIV/AIDS prevalence. The last report (2010) revealed that the HIV prevalence rate among young, prime-age women, was 21.7%. It may since have increased, but policy practitioners would be none the wiser, thanks to an inexcusably late release.

As such, it is imperative that it is released soon. If it is not released within the next ten days, the DA will submit an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

We cannot allow our government to fail the millions of South Africans affected by HIV/Aids, particularly young women.

Statement issued by Mike Waters MP, DA Shadow Minister of Health, November 28 2011

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