On the eve of the AIDS 2016 conference in Durban this weekend, the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA) today sent a letter to the Minister of Health to commend him and the Department of Health for their outstanding leadership in informing and educating South Africans, and for the steps they have taken that have resulted in South Africa being the site for the world’s largest HIV treatment programme, and as a consequence, for sending new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths in the country into decline.

It is HASA’s view that the Minister and his Department have achieved their success through a singular commitment to the people of South Africa, and through sheer hard and dedicated work. Their success should be recognised and all South Africans should feel proud of what they have achieved.

The AIDS conference website notes that: “Recent breakthroughs in HIV prevention and treatment have largely given us the means to end the epidemic, but if we do not speed up the pace of progress we risk reversing hard-won gains. UNAIDS estimates that there will be a 10-fold increase in new HIV infections and eight times as many AIDS-related deaths by 2030 unless we act now to address and prioritize the needs of those most vulnerable. Delay is tantamount to defeat.”

Says HASA CEO, Dr Dumisani Bomela: “We are confident that the Minister and his colleagues will continue with determination to ensure that the gains made will not be lost, and that further breakthroughs against the disease are forthcoming.”

“We believe thanks and appreciation from all South Africans towards the Minister and the Department are thoroughly justified,” says Bomela.