This comes amidst the 8th Southern African Aids Conference starting in Durban today. The Positive Action Campaign’s Sello Mokhalipi says the time has come for the government to ensure that its policies are implemented and that people at grassroots level are afforded quality health care services. He says there is an urgent need for the government to collaborate with NGOs in ensuring that the battle against the spread of HIV/Aids is won.

“We can talk about all these things, have several Imbizo’s and all these other events, but there are people who we still can’t reach, especially when it comes to addressing the issue of TB, STI, and HIV. The only way in which the Department of Health can win this battle is by utilising the NGOs that are available and vocal. We do not want to be the enemy of the Department of Health. We basically just want to be part of the solution to the existing challenges.”

The 2017 three-day Aids conference underway in Durban is set to bring together delegates such as scientists, medical practitioners, public sector representatives, NGOs, faith-based sectors, as well as the corporate sector. They are, among others, going to address topics such as the decriminalisation of sex work, HIV preventions and treatment, and HIV education.

OFM News/Katleho Morapela