MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
A new HIV/AIDS narrative W orld AIDS Day
dles, non-sterile operating
Up Plan Task Team has
2021 was com-
theatres, coming into con-
now been established
memorated
tact with the blood of an
to determine how HIV
on 1 December under the
infected person or even, in
programmes can effec-
national theme ‘Working
rare cases, through blood
tively function during the
together to end inequalities,
transfusions.
COVID-19 pandemic. The
AIDS, TB and COVID-19:
You cannot become
task team will look at ways
Get tested. Get vaccinated.
infected through ordi-
to encourage people to
Adhere to treatment’.
nary day-to-day contact,
get tested for HIV, start on
With the battle against
such as kissing, hugging,
antiretroviral treatment,
HIV/AIDS taking a back-
shaking hands, or sharing
or continue with their
Phumla Williams, GCIS Director-General
seat to the COVID-19 cri-
personal objects, food or
treatment, even during
sis since March 2020, both
water. So unlike COVID-19,
COVID-19 waves.
the message and the call
preventing the spread of
Another positive devel-
to action encapsulated in
HIV is largely within the
opment was the launch of
sibility to educate our
this theme are apt.
power of most of us.
the South African National
communities and families
It is also our respon-
Despite the immediacy
Despite our unaccepta-
Aids Council Private Sec-
about HIV/AIDS, stress-
and novelty of COVID-19,
bly high HIV infection rate,
tor Forum in June. This will
ing that it is not a death
it is time to recommit as a
South Africa has earned
bolster the work done by
sentence and can be ef-
nation to defeating HIV/
international respect for
the Council, by officially
fectively managed through
AIDS.
the way we have grown
including the private sec-
treatment.
our treatment programme
tor.
According to Statistics
I call on you to play your part in the fight against
South Africa’s Mid-year
into the largest in the
Population Estimates, the
world, with five million
number of people living
people on antiretroviral
no means immune to
selves with the necessary
with HIV in the country is
therapy.
HIV/AIDS. I urge all of
information about this
you to ensure you strive
pandemic and spreading
estimated to be 8.2 million.
However, the COVID-19
Public servants are by
HIV/AIDS by arming your-
Yet protecting ourselves
pandemic has thrown our
for a healthy lifestyle. We
the message that we can
against the disease mainly
HIV/AIDS efforts slightly
should be leading by ex-
beat it.
involves avoiding unpro-
off course, with the lock-
ample in the fight against
tected sex and shared
down resulting in fewer
HIV/AIDS by practicing
huge power behind them
needles.
people being tested and
and preaching safe sex,
– the power to keep you
collecting their medica-
and becoming aware of
safe and change South Af-
tion.
our HIV status by getting
rica’s HIV/AIDS narrative.
The HIV virus can be transmitted through unprotected sex, shared nee-
6
A multisectoral Catch-
Individual actions have
tested.
Public Sector Manager • December 2021 / January 2022
