![[File Image]: A woman prepares ribbons on World Aids Day at Beacon of Hope centre, a non-government organization formed to address problems facing women.](https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SABC-News-HVI-Reuters.jpg)
Western Cape Health MEC Dr Nomafrench Mbombo is calling on people living with HIV and AIDS to comply with their regular treatment to help prolong their lives.
She was speaking during a World AIDS Day commemoration event at Belhar on the Cape Flats.
The event is organised by the provincial Health Department to raise awareness on HIV, and they have also taken the opportunity to encourage people to go for COVID-19 vaccination.
Mbombo has also called on members of the public to take an HIV test in order to know their status.
She says the challenge facing health authorities is that people do not take their ARV treatment even when they know they are HIV positive.
She says 90% of the population in the province is aware of their HIV status and the majority of them are not on treatment.
She has cautioned the public to observe COVID-19 protocols due to rising infections because of the new variant known as Omicron.
Deputy President David Mabuza leads the South African commemorations:
