The National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB, 2012?2016 (NSP) developed in 2011, is a road map for a five-year national HIV and TB response. The overall goals included in the NSP are to:
- Reduce the number of new HIV and TB infections by
- at least 50%
- Ensure that 80% of all eligible patients receive antiretroviral treatment (ART) with 70% alive and on treatment five years after treatment initiation
- Reduce self-reported stigma related to HIV and TB by 50%
- Ensure an enabling and accessible legal framework that protects and promotes human rights
Promising results
The findings of SANAC’s first NSP progress report, which charts the progress made in 2012/2013 and was published at the end of last year, are encouraging. According to the report, mother-to-child transmission of HIV during pregnancy and childbirth is in decline. Perinatal transmission is estimated at 2.7%; the NSP target of less than 2% is likely to be reached by 2016.
In 2013, antiretroviral treatment reached 2.5 million South Africans. However, to meet the NSP target, provincial health departments will need to enroll about 500 000 patients over the course of the next four years. According to the NSP, due to the considerable scale-up of antiretroviral treatment, it is very likely that we will see a drop in TB incidence and mortality.
SANAC’s response
SANAC will focus more specifically on key vulnerable populations such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, and prison inmates, by addressing issues specific to them using a more systematic and thorough approach. With regards to human rights, a partnership between SANAC and Legal Aid South Africa has been put in place to provide legal support to victims of discrimination.
SANAC has also commissioned a national stigma index survey, a comprehensive survey of stigma and discrimination that will provide insight into the level of stigma experienced by people living with HIV, from their points of view. It will also contribute to the development of appropriate indicators to track progress in this regard.
Addressing challenges
The progress report highlights the successes of the NSP so far, but also points to some of the challenges which still need to be addressed. While some progress has been made regarding monitoring and evaluation (M&E), there is still a great deal to be done. Specific M&E elements that need to be addressed include identification of the multisectoral indicators for comprehensive tracking of the NSP multisectoral response.
