President Jacob Zuma
In addition to announcing several policies that would see the CD4 count of pregnant South African moved from 200 to 350 in order for them to access anti-retroviral treatment, President Jacob Zuma’s World AIDS Day speech also touched in HIV prevention.
“We must reduce the rate of new infections. Prevention is our most powerful weapon against the epidemic,” he said.
Zuma urged each individual South Africans to take responsibility for protection against HIV. To the youth, the future belongs to you. Be responsible and do not expose yourself to risks, he said. He also emphasised that South Africa was still commemorating the 16 day of Activism against violence on women and children.
“During this period, it is important that we also remember to uphold the rights of women and children, including their right to protection from infection with HIV,” he said.
Zuma also encouraged South Africans to test for HIV, so that they can learn their status. He noted that he is planning to take the test, and that he knows his status, having previously taken another test. Zuma alo encouraged the use of condoms as a tool to prevent HIV infection.
