Mpumalanga Premier, Mr Mandla Ndlovu, has called for a unified partnership between government institutions, civil society, and funding agencies to tackle the high HIV prevalence in the province. According to the 2022 South African HIV, Incidence, Prevalence, and Behaviour Survey by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), Mpumalanga has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country, with 17.4% in 2022, compared to 19.4% in 2017.

During a meeting of the Mpumalanga Provincial AIDS Council (MPAC) on Monday, Premier Ndlovu emphasised the importance of prevention, highlighting that it is cheaper than treatment. He urged community engagement in HIV testing and ensuring those who test positive remain on antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to achieve viral suppression.

The report by HSRC shows Gert Sibande District leading with the highest HIV prevalence at 20.5%, followed by Ehlanzeni District at 16%, while Nkangala District recorded the lowest rate at 13.1%. Mpumalanga also ranks among the top three provinces with the highest number of individuals on ARV treatment.

Efforts are being made to meet international targets of 95-95-95, which aim for 95% of people to know their status, 95% of those diagnosed to be on treatment, and 95% to achieve viral suppression. Currently, 87.3% of Mpumalanga residents are aware of their status, 94.5% are on treatment, and 94% have achieved viral suppression.

The meeting resolved to:

• Develop long-term care strategies for those living with HIV
• Promote ARV usage, especially among youth and men
• Increase male circumcision from age 15
• Enhance public awareness on effective HIV prevention measures, including condom use.