Health department urges residents to get PrEP’d

The Gauteng health department urged residents to make use of the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) available at several healthcare facilities this 2023.

PrEP is a medicine that’s taken to prevent contracting HIV.

In a statement released by the Tshwane Health District Services, Pretoria residents can now check which clinic closest to them to receive the medication.

In the most recent StatsSA figures released, it’s estimated that 13,7% (8,2 million) of South Africans are currently living with HIV.

The health department says that taking PrEP medication reduces the risk of contracting the disease via sexual intercourse by 99% and reduces the risk of contraction via drug-use injection by 74%.

The department reminded residents, however, that even though the PrEPs are very effective in preventing getting HIV, one should still use condoms.

“Remember, using a condom is still the best way to prevent HIV infection,” said the department.

Condoms (when used correctly and often) protect users from unwanted pregnancies and contracting STIs, a combination of both PrEPs and condoms as well as other prevention methods will give residents the strongest defence against HIV infection.

Residents were advised to have a look at the list below of healthcare facilities in the Tshwane district providing PrEP to see which one is closest to them to join the fight against HIV.

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