​Koketso Maraba
 
The Deputy President of South Africa and Chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), Paul Mashatile, officially opened the 12th South African AIDS Conference with an urgent call to intensify efforts in closing the HIV treatment gap and reaching millions who remain outside the formal healthcare system.
In his keynote address, Deputy President Mashatile spotlighted the national "Close the Gap, Start and Stay on HIV Treatment" campaign, launched in February 2025 at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. The campaign aims to identify and support 1.1 million people living with HIV who are currently not receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART), including those who may have fallen out of care or were never initiated.
"We cannot afford to leave anyone behind," Mashatile said. "Every person living with HIV deserves access to treatment, support, and dignity."
While South Africa has made significant strides in its HIV response, achieving 96% of people knowing their HIV status and 97% of those on treatment reaching viral suppression, only 78% of diagnosed individuals are on sustained treatment. The Deputy President stressed that this gap demands urgent intervention.
"This is not just a statistic—it's a call to action," he said. "We must do more to ensure that those diagnosed are not lost in the system."
In Gauteng, the campaign has already shown promising results. By August 2025, 153 124 individuals had returned to care and initiated or reinitiated on ART, representing 47% of the province's target of 325 848. District-level performance varied, with the West Rand achieving 71% of its target, followed by Sedibeng (68%), Tshwane (56%), Ekurhuleni (52%), and Johannesburg (35%).
In addition, Deputy President Mashatile urged for a shift from clinic-based models to community-led responses, highlighting the importance of integrated, inclusive, and stigma-free healthcare services. He also emphasised the role of education and local leadership in supporting long-term treatment adherence.
"We must empower communities to lead the response. Healthcare must be accessible, welcoming, and free from stigma," he said.
He drew attention to the End TB Campaign, which runs parallel with the HIV initiative and aims to screen five million people during the 2025/26 financial year. Both campaigns are part of a broader strategy to improve public health outcomes and meet targets set out in the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs.
Closing his address, the Deputy President reminded delegates that behind every statistic is a person, and that South Africa's HIV response must always be rooted in compassion, dignity, and equity.
"Let us never forget that every number represents a life. Our response must be driven by humanity," concluded the Deputy President.