COSATU calls for extensive research on HIV infection reduction rate

By Kim Saulse
24 June 2010

COSATU says while it welcomes a report indicating a decrease in new HIV infections in the country; further investigations are needed to “establish definitively whether there is indeed such a significant improvement and the extent of reduction in new infections”.

The report released by the Human Sciences Research Council and Imperial College London, indicated a 35% reduction in new infections between 2002 and 2008.

The trade union federation says in a statement that they together with the Treatment Action Campaign, the SA Medical Association and other civil society organisations feel that the report, could lead to complacency about the threat of HIV and fewer people volunteering for HIV testing.

The statement adds that “it is therefore essential that there should be no let-up in the national campaign to encourage people to get themselves tested for HIV and to change their behaviour and practice safer sex through using condoms”.

COSATU concludes that the campaign to test fifteen million people in the next year must be implemented with even greater urgency.