{"id":29153,"date":"2025-09-15T12:38:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T10:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=29153"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:51:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:51:18","slug":"mashatile-urges-stronger-hiv-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/mashatile-urges-stronger-hiv-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Mashatile Urges Stronger HIV Treatment Access at AIDS Conference in Gauteng"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for urgent intervention to close South Africa\u2019s HIV treatment gap, warning that millions remain outside the formal healthcare system despite decades of progress. Speaking at the official opening of the 12th South African AIDS Conference in Gauteng, Mashatile insisted that the fight against HIV will only be won if treatment and support reach everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>ALSO READ: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/early-antenatal-care-key-to-preventing-complications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko: Early Antenatal Care Key to Preventing Complications<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-we-cannot-afford-to-leave-anyone-behind\">\u201cWe Cannot Afford to Leave Anyone Behind\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mashatile, who also chairs the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), reminded delegates that all South Africans living with HIV have the right to treatment, support, and dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe cannot afford to leave anyone behind,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery person living with HIV deserves treatment, support, and dignity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He used the platform to spotlight the \u201cClose the Gap, Start and Stay on HIV Treatment\u201d campaign, launched in February 2025 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The initiative targets 1.1 million people who are not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) \u2014 including those who stopped treatment and those who never started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-898495497\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-treatment-gap-progress-and-setbacks\">The Treatment Gap: Progress and Setbacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa has made significant strides in its HIV response. 96% of people living with HIV know their status, and 97% of those on treatment have achieved viral suppression. Yet only 78% of diagnosed individuals remain on sustained treatment \u2014 leaving a dangerous gap that continues to drive illness, death, and new infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is not just a statistic \u2014 it\u2019s a call to action,\u201d Mashatile said. \u201cWe need to do more to ensure that those who are diagnosed are not lost in the system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Millions of South Africans, particularly in poor or rural areas, still struggle to access consistent care. For them, falling out of the system isn\u2019t just a health risk \u2014 it threatens their families and entire communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gauteng-s-progress\">Gauteng\u2019s Progress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mashatile praised Gauteng for some encouraging results. By August 2025, 153,124 people had re-engaged in care and either started or restarted ART, reaching 47% of the provincial target of 325,848.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Progress differed across districts:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>West Rand<\/strong>: 71% of target met<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sedibeng<\/strong>: 68%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tshwane<\/strong>: 56%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ekurhuleni<\/strong>: 52%<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Johannesburg<\/strong>: 35% \u2014 the lowest despite having the largest HIV-positive population<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The uneven progress highlights the urgency of scaling up efforts, especially in Johannesburg, where thousands remain outside the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-1883969100\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-community-led-healthcare-the-way-forward\">Community-Led Healthcare: The Way Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mashatile urged the country to shift from clinic-based, top-down models to community-led responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe need to empower communities to lead the response. Healthcare must be accessible, friendly, and stigma-free,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Civil society organisations at the conference echoed the call, warning that stigma, discrimination, and overcrowded facilities still push too many patients away from treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-expanding-the-fight-against-hiv\">Expanding the Fight Against HIV<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Deputy President also linked the HIV response to broader public health priorities. He pointed to the End TB Campaign, which aims to screen five million people in the 2025\/26 financial year. Both HIV and TB are central to the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs, which sets ambitious targets for reducing deaths and improving health outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cLet us never forget that behind every number is a life. Our response should be guided by humanity,\u201d Mashatile reminded delegates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3910857053\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-this-matters-for-gauteng\">Why This Matters for Gauteng<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For Gauteng \u2014 South Africa\u2019s most populous and economically vital province \u2014 closing the treatment gap goes beyond healthcare. It\u2019s about ensuring stronger communities, healthier families, and a more resilient workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schools, workplaces, and households across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Sedibeng, Ekurhuleni, and the West Rand still carry the burden when individuals drop out of care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHIV is not just a medical condition; it\u2019s social and economic,\u201d said a Gauteng-based health activist. \u201cWhen patients fall through the cracks, entire families and communities suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-way-forward\">The Way Forward<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mashatile\u2019s speech served as both a warning and a roadmap. South Africa must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strengthen community-based HIV care<\/strong> to reach those outside formal systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hold districts accountable<\/strong>, so lagging regions like Johannesburg can catch up<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Integrate services<\/strong> for HIV, TB, STIs, and mental health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fight stigma and discrimination<\/strong> through education and grassroots activism<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Support patients to stay on treatment<\/strong>, not just start it<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-26114582\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-building-a-more-inclusive-healthcare-system\">Building a More Inclusive Healthcare System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mashatile\u2019s rallying call stretched beyond HIV. He pressed for a stigma-free, inclusive, and patient-centred healthcare system that responds to the needs of South Africa\u2019s diverse communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBehind every figure is a human being,\u201d he said. \u201cOur response should be guided by compassion, dignity, and equity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-last-word-a-call-for-collective-action\">Last Word: A Call for Collective Action<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>South Africa cannot defeat HIV through the government alone. Civil society, healthcare workers, communities, and ordinary citizens all have roles to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The challenge is clear: support community-driven initiatives, encourage loved ones to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizen.co.za\/news\/south-africa\/mashatile-demands-urgent-action-to-close-hiv-treatment-gap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> test and stay on treatment<\/a>, and challenge stigma wherever it appears. Every life matters \u2014 and together, we can close the gap.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for urgent intervention to close South Africa\u2019s HIV treatment gap, warning that millions remain outside the formal healthcare system despite decades of progress. Speaking at the official opening of the 12th South African AIDS Conference in Gauteng, Mashatile insisted that the fight against HIV will only be won if treatment and support reach everyon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":29155,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for urgent intervention to close South Africa\u2019s HIV treatment gap, warning that millions remain outside the formal healthcare system despite decades of progress. Speaking at the official opening of the 12th South African AIDS Conference in Gauteng, Mashatile insisted that the fight against HIV will only be won if treatment and support reach everyon","footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[83],"class_list":{"0":"post-29153","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"tag-gauteng"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29153"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29157,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29153\/revisions\/29157"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29155"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29153"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29153"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}