A local organisation in Phoenix and Chatsworth has reported a 36% increase in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among people it tested this year. The organisation's founder, Dr Daniel Rudy Chettiar, attributes the rise to fear and stigma associated with HIV, which discourages residents from testing. He notes that early detection saves lives, but many people are hesitant to know their HIV status. The organisation has mobile clinics to test people, but the turnout is often poor.
Community leaders, including Dr Brandon Pillay, believe that fear, stigma, and limited public discussion are major contributors to the low HIV testing turnout. Pillay thinks that HIV is not openly discussed in communities, particularly in Chatsworth, where family structures, cultural values, and religious beliefs play a significant role in everyday life. He argues that HIV is not just a health issue but also a social issue, requiring an environment where people feel safe to seek testing, access treatment, and speak openly about their status without fear of discrimination.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Health Ministers are currently meeting in Durban to tackle the HIV/AIDS scourge. The meeting, which is being held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC), aims to review progress toward HIV epidemic control and the 95-95-95 targets. The ministers will also focus on crucial health issues, including solidarity during disease outbreaks and local manufacturing of medical products.
According to Dr Chettiar, the problem of HIV is getting worse over the years, with many people focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the HIV pandemic taking a backseat. He believes that government needs to play a part in driving awareness and visiting communities to address the issue. The organisation works with communities, but it cannot pressurise them or get data that gives a full picture of the issue.
Dr Pillay thinks that it is essential to ask uncomfortable questions about HIV, such as whether it can be openly discussed around dinner tables, within families, and in communities. He argues that while progress has been made in HIV awareness, education, testing, and treatment, there is still a long way to go in addressing the social stigma surrounding HIV.
The National Health Department has stated that HIV will be among the pressing health issues discussed at the SADC meeting. The department aims to strengthen access to prevention, treatment, and care, and accelerate malaria control and elimination through cross-border surveillance, vector control, and equitable access to essential commodities.
The meeting of SADC Health Ministers will review progress toward HIV epidemic control and strengthen access to prevention, treatment, and care. The ministers will also focus on accelerating malaria control and elimination and addressing the region's disease burden. The week-long meeting will conclude with a plan to tackle the pressing health issues in the region.
Key points
- A local organisation has reported a 36% rise in STIs among people it tested this year in Phoenix and Chatsworth.
- Fear and stigma associated with HIV discourage residents from testing, according to community leaders.
- The SADC Health Ministers are meeting in Durban to tackle the HIV/AIDS scourge and review progress toward HIV epidemic control.
