Cabinet has approved the implementation plan to scale up the HIV/Aids prevention and treatment programme recently presented by Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.
The new plan aims to reduce the rate of infection by 50% by 2011 and to provide antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to 80% of those who need the treatment, government spokesperson Themba Maseko told a media briefing on Thursday, following Cabinet's regular meeting on Wednesday.
"More emphasis will be placed on prevention through information, education, widespread distribution of condoms, and mobilisation of millions of South Africans to know their status," he said.
Highlights of the new plan included voluntary and public HIV/Aids testing led by Cabinet members and other leaders from broader society, a move from voluntary counselling and testing to HIV counselling and testing, and a service delivery model that offered testing to all patients at the entry points in all health institutions. - (Sapa, March 2010)