These figures were announced at the Ekurhuleni HIV and Aids Conference, at the Springs Civic Centre, on November 20 and 21.
Various dignitaries attended the event, including Ekurhuleni mayor Mondli Gungubele, who applauded the work that has been done to tackle the virus.
“It is clear that our programmes are on the right track, but this does not mean we must slow down in our war against HIV.
“It demonstrates that we have clearly made some strides, but we cannot afford to be complacent about status quo,” said Gungubele.
The rate of infection amongst expectant mothers has decreased to 20.5 per cent and the number of babies born to HIV-positive mothers has decreased to 1.8 per cent.
Dr Elizabeth Floyd, director of the Multi Sectoral Aids Unit, at the Gauteng Department of Health, highlighted the various successes, such as the decrease in the number of children’s hospices, because the number of mother-to-child infections has declined.
She also focused on the importance of young people becoming involved in such initiatives, as they are more vulnerable to the virus, especially young women.
“Young women are the most vulnerable to the virus because of social issues,” she said.
We need young leaders to lead young people, because they can speak in a language and about circumstances that they understand and can relate to.”
The conference was the second in many years and it served as a mid-term review of the Ekurhuleni Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and Tuberculosis for 2012 to 2016.
