The Free State Department of Health launched the Close the Gap campaign, aimed at reducing the rate of HIV infections, as well as the End TB Campaign, in Botshabelo on Friday, 13 June.
This initiative comes in response to the alarming statistic that Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, minister of Health, released in November last year. It revealed that 1,1 million South Africans who know their HIV status are not receiving the antiretroviral (ARV) treatment they need.
Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the department, said a treatment gap of 22 631 individuals has been identified.
“The Mangaung Metro district represents the largest share, at 16 666. This launch serves as a rallying call for all stakeholders in Botshabelo and across the Free State to unite in our efforts to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against HIV. The Close the Gap campaign aims to bridge this divide by December 2025,” he confirmed.
He said the End TB campaign aimed to test a total of 5 million people across the nation for TB by the end of 2025. In the Free State, the target is to test 179 462 individuals, recognising that those presenting symptoms at clinics are the largest group in need of testing.
Mvambi said the campaign would prioritise several critical areas, including increasing access to treatment, improving men’s health, and enhancing pediatric and adolescent HIV care.
