Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize says the stigma attached to HIV /Aids is still a major concern which discourages many people from getting tested.
Mkhize was speaking at the launch of the Promotion of Human Rights Programme, which is aimed at educating all South Africans about the importance of human rights.
Mkhize and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala also visited the Gugu Dlamini Park in remembrance of Gugu Dlamini, who was killed in 1998 in KwaMashu after disclosing her HIV status.
Mkhize, officially opens the 9th Aids Conference on Tuesday, also raised concerns that new HIV infections continue to increase.
“We all know now that the problem of HIV and Aids is not getting less in South Africa. It is still a big problem that needs us to stand up as society as a whole. So, right now South Africa as a whole is the one that has got the largest treatment problem with antiretroviral treatment of over 4.9 million people. But on top, we still have about 7.1 million people who have been diagnosed as HIV positive. We need to close the gap. We need to make sure that 90% of all of those who are diagnosed are on treatment and their viral load is reduced. We need to make sure that the level of the spread of the disease is reduced.”
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