Cheka Impilo to Support the 90-90-90 Strategy This World AIDS Day – FEDUSA

01 December 2020 

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has appealed to communities to embrace the Department of Health’s slogan Cheka Impilo loosely translated to mean have a health check by going to test for HIV this World AIDS Day in order to support the UN (United Nations)’ 90-90-90 strategy of combating the HIVÁIDS pandemic.

Simply put, the UN’s 90- 90- 90 strategy aims at getting 90% of people who are exposed to HIV tested and to be aware of their status, 90% of those who test positive for HIV to be put on antiretroviral treatment; and that 90% of those who receive antiretrovirals should be virally suppressed.

At a practical level the government has set up and supports the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), which is a multi-sectoral body comprising of government, civil society and private sectors representatives, with a national head office and provincial chapters. Its theme for the 2020 World AIDS Day is: “We’re in this together, Cheka Impilo! “has been formulated around the Department of Health’s Cheka Impilo National Wellness Campaign which focuses on challenging individuals to be aware and responsible health choices.

South Africa HIV/AIDS statistics paint a bleak picture with the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting that the country suffers from the biggest HIV epidemic in the world, with 7.7 million people living with HIV; with HIV prevalence among the general population very high at 20.4% and prevalence is even higher among men who have sex with men, transgender women, sex workers and people who inject drugs.

However, the WHO is also encouraged by the impressive improvements that South Africa has achieved in recent years by getting  thousands of people to test for HIV with results showing that the country has. has now met the first of the 90-90-90 targets, with 90% of people living with HIV aware of their status in 2018.

In addition, South Africa has the world’s largest Anti-Retroviral Treatment programme, that has undergone further roll-out with the implementation of Cheka Impilo protocols and also became the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to fully approve PrEP, which is now being made available to people at high risk of infection.

Ends

(358 Words)

For interviews please contact:

Ms Dorothy Nokuzola Ndhlovu

FEDUSA Vice President: Gender and Social Justice

076 424 8747

Ms Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA General Secretary

079 696 2625

Ms Brenda Modise

Head: Social Policy

073 531 5339

Issued by:

Frank Nxumalo

FEDUSA Media and Research Officer

072 637 8096