By Daniel Itai.
South Africa. (News of The South) – South Africa’s Kwa-Zulu Natal province is still the highest HIV (Human Immune Virus) prevalent area in Africa. More than 840 000 people are infected.
Those that are HIV positive in the area are mostly sex workers, homosexuals, people who inject drugs, children and orphans as well as women and adolescent girls.
Regardless, the government has taken significant strides in trying to curb the epidemic by ensuring that those that are HIV positive are on Anti Retro Viral (ARV) treatment.
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In one of KZN’s rural areas of Eshowe, 90 percent of the people infected with HIV now know their status, 94 percent of HIV positive patients have now received treatment, and 95 percent of those on ARVs have viral suppression.
Non Profit Organisation, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has also contributed immensely towards curbing the epidemic in Eshowe.
MSF’s Dr Lizbette Ooler said, “we have been discussing with the people, trying to find out why they are getting challenges to getting access to healthcare and how we can improve it.”
One of the traditional leaders in Eshowe, Chief Thembinkosi Zulu acknowledged the work that has been done by MSF, “we have a good relationship with Doctors Without Borders. The HIV infection rate has decreased since they have arrived,” said Chief Zulu.
In KZN the likelihood of an individual having tested for HIV increases if they are living in an urban setting. Those living in rural areas are as much as two times less likely to have tested for HIV.
South Africa has the biggest and most high profile HIV epidemic in the world, with an estimated 7.7 million people living with HIV.
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