COSATU Today | COSATU Press Statements |
PRINTDENOSA on the newly approved HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment programme
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa welcomes the commitment by government that aims to test 15 million people thus reducing the rate of HIV and AIDS infections by 50% by 2011.
We note with appreciation that the campaign will also offer voluntary counseling at entry points in all health institutions.
We further echo the view that prevention remains the best measure in combating the spread of HIV and AIDS in our country. However we note the alarming number of our people who are living with the disease- hence we are saying, it is imperative to ensure that they are placed on treatment.
DENOSA cautiously note the call made by the Ministry of Health for retired nurses to come and assist the system. Whilst we accept that our health system requires more personnel as a matter of urgency, we view the call by the Ministry as an interim measure to the gross staff-shortages that exist.
Retired health professionals should be brought in to inculcate commitment and serve as mentors to the younger generation.
We reiterate the view that more focus should be placed on strengthening primary health care in particular in the continuing fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS.
DENOSA is further concerned that these retired health professionals are being called on a voluntary basis as this implies that they might not be given any sort of compensation for their efforts. In this regard, we want to emphasise that they must be remunerated accordingly.
We reiterate our call of re-opening the nursing education institutions and nursing colleges that were closed and train more nurses, as this forms part of a sustainable and long term solution to the current understaffing in our health institutions.
In our commitment to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS including TB, as DENOSA we have already trained hundreds of nurses on stigma and discrimination, TB and rendering quality health care to patients. We will be training more nurses on HIV management in line with the new ART guidelines.
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Issued by
Asanda Fongqo
DENOSA Communications Manager
012 343 2315 ext 235
079 875 2663
For more information also contact Dimakatso Sebopa, DENOSA HIV and AIDS & Gender Co-ordinator on 012 343 2315 ext 217 or on 082 850 9793
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