Red Ribbons for a Reason

Red Ribbons for a reason- HIV and AIDS in South Africa

It has been 40 years since the first recorded case of AIDS was detected in South Africa. In 1982, the outlook was bleak, with no treatment and very little support. Now, it’s no longer a death sentence.

Despite a very slow start on the social implications of the pandemic, and certain unspeakable failures of previous health ministers to address the need for treatment, South Africa has made progress in the treatment and support of the 7,9 million people living with AIDS in South Africa.

Much of that progress is the result of tireless efforts by the creative sector, especially Soul City, which celebrates its own 30^th Anniversary this year. Established in 1992, by Drs Garth Japhet and Shereen Usdin in the Alexandra Health Centre, the Soul City name and brand has become inseparable from the Social and Behavioural Change work that they do, including intensive campaigns for AIDS and HIV awareness, education of those at risk, training of many counsellors, support workers and carers. Their efforts have been recognised internationally and they were named a Global fund Principal Recipient in 2014, as the 12^th season of Soul City aired nationally. Their efforts within targeted groups led to lower infection rates, higher rates of protection used, and were instrumental in the mass drive for testing.

In terms of things to be proud of, South Africa also has a data model named Thembisa. It allows us to measure things like infection rate, treatment and testing. In a recent newspaper article, Markus Low explained how the use of data modelling has allowed us to gain new insights into how we have been able to manage the HIV pandemic and where we need to focus our efforts. It is thanks to this model that we can see the results of the Awareness drives from Soul City and our department of health. Of the 7.9 million people living with HIV in the country in 2022, it is estimated that 93.7% have been diagnosed.

Our treatment numbers are climbing slowly and there will always be the drive to get that number to 100%, but our current treatment rate is 69%. Despite a huge number of obstacles, more people are getting the treatment they need to manage the disease and keep it from spreading. Rates of HIV negative people choosing to take what’s called “pre-exposure prophylaxis” or PreP in order to prevent themselves from getting HIV in the first place, are also growing, with new ways to take the medicine becoming publicly available before the end of 2023.

It’s not perfect but it is progress. We have come a very long way from 1982.

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