Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant was in East London Friday to encourage Department employees to take part in events that highlight HIV and Aids awarness.
Although the Minister and her Deputy, Inkosi Patekile Holomisa, did not join a planned march, Department employees and other stakeholders, walked in solidary from the CBD to Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium.
However, delivering her Aids Day message at the venue, Minister Oliphant said that "2015,’ marks the 27th Anniversary of the World Aids Day since its world launch in 1988. 27 is a number that carries significance for South Africa in more ways than one."
"The first democratically elected President of South Africa, the late Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela was freed from prison after spending 27 years of incarceration for fighting for what was a just course," she said.
Oliphant said that World Aids Day remains important as "it acts as a constant reminder that the virus is still very much with us, along with all the prejudices, discrimination, stigma and all the social ills that goes with it."
"Whilst this day presents an opportunity to raise awareness, education and fine-tune our responses, it is important that everyday should be "an aids day" in order not to lose the momentum," she added.
Minister Oliphant said that according to the World Health Organisation and the UN Aid, there are 36.9 million known cases of people who are living with HIV, including 2.6 million children. About 2 million people were infected globally in just 2014 alone.
"Over 35 million people have died from HIV or AIDS including 1.2 million who died in 2014 alone.".
"AIDS is the number one cause of death in Africa and second among young people globally. In Sub-Saharan Africa girls account for 7 in 10 in the new infections among those who are between 15 and 19 years of age. Only about 51% of people living with HIV know their status despite the availability of testing," Minister Oliphant said.
"This story demonstrates clearly that whilst the global efforts are making some visible mark in dealing with the scourge, we are far from winning this battle. Our young people and girls in particular, are among the most vulnerable in this connection. It is frightening that only 51% of those living with the virus know their HIV status. Broadly speaking this means that more than half of us gathered here do not know our HIV status, that’s scary."
"If 7 out 10 new infections are young girls between the ages of 15-19 then we are in big trouble and the future looks very bleak indeed," Oliphant said.
