Mpumalanga HIV/Aids Campaign (Press Alert) 22 - 03 - 06

 

MPUMALANGA HIV/AIDS CAMPAIGN (PRESS ALERT)

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a national disaster for South Africa. Over 5 million people are infected and official statistics indicate a huge rise in the number of deaths, particularly of people between the ages of 20 and 40. Infection with HIV and death due to AIDS is undermining millions of people's hopes and livelyhoods. It is entrenching and deepening poverty, but also robbing people of the means to lift themselves out of poverty. The impact of HIV /AIDS is particularly severe on working class women and girls who, in addition to being more at risk of infection than boys and men also carry much of the burden of are for people sick with HIV.

COSATU and TAC in Mpumalanga Province met at Provincial level to develop a Provincial Programme of engagement and activism on the challenges of HIV treatment and prevention. The activities covered by the joint programme include:

• Visits to hospitals to people infected with HIV/AIDS
• Joint workshops with government on treatment literacy skills amongst out activists
• Convening of a Health Sector Summit
• Dedicating May Day to the fight against HIV/AIDS with the theme AIDS - The New Struggle.

The activities that will take place in the next coming few days are as follows:

1. Meeting with the MEC for Health on 24 March 2006 at 08h00 at the MEC's boardroom

Visits to all TB hospitals:

• 28 March 2006 Standerton Hospital at 14h00
  
• 29 March 2006 Barberton Hospital at 14h00
  
• 30 March 2006 Witbank Hospital at 14h00
  

The media is invited to interview the leadership during the hospitals visits only. It is not invited to the meeting with the MEC.

For further information please phone Fidel Mlombo on 013 656 0289 or 082 649 6068