“14.7 million – that is the number which reflects the amount of South Africans who have made use of the opportunity to voluntarily test their HIV Status.  This information was shared with journalists by Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini Cape Town last week.   Encouraged by the target of almost 15 million tests being reached, there is still some cause for concern based on the ratio of only 30 % of the volunteers being male.   Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi echoed the sentiments that the “30 % point difference is too much.”

Dr Aaron Motsoaledi reiterated the fact that testing should be carried out at least once or twice a year, confirming that he was being tested for the fourth time.

The acronym for AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) has been changed to Another Interesting Day Still by an activist who is living a successful and productive life with the virus.   Endorsing the call for testing he stated that “being tested has become second nature in his life.”  He has found that knowledge about HIV empowers those who have the disease to change their behaviour and enjoy a full sex life.

Statistics of those who have been tested thus far indicate that around two-million people have indicated a positive status, but far from being the death knell as initially thought, these people have been referred for further care and counselling.

According to Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe the government has made huge strides in caring for people living with HIV, by providing additional public facilities (490 – 2001) that offer comprehensive Antiretroviral Treatment for sufferers and more than 1750 nurses trained in Nurse Initiated and Managed ART make it possible for professional nurses to put people onto treatment.”

Winning the fight against HIV is happening one person at a time when responsibility for ones actions is taken.