Sector spotlight: HIV/AIDS
Fri, 3 October 2008
HIV/AIDS is the biggest health and development challenge facing South Africa today. With an estimated 5.7 million currently infected, we have the highest number of people living with the disease in the world. AIDS increases the death rates of young and middle-aged adults, where mortality is usually at its lowest, which has serious consequences for the country’s social and economic functioning. As mortality increases among the prime populations, children and the elderly lose family support and community structures disintegrate.
Quick facts
- An estimated 5.7 million South Africans are currently living with HIV.
- Women aged 15-24 account for 90% of the latest HIV infections for this age group.
- Death from AIDS is thought to be 30% more costly to households than the death of a family member from any other disease.
- AIDS has dropped life expectancy in South Africa to an average 50 years of age.
The nature and extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa has profound economic and social consequences. The illness and death of men and women who are breadwinners is a major hindrance to poverty alleviation and in many cases has taken families further into poverty. This is because death from AIDS, which is characterized by prolonged illness, is estimated to be 30% more costly to households than the loss of a family member to any other disease. Aside from the direct financial costs of HIV/AIDS on households, caring for the ill and orphaned has increased the burden of work on women and children.
Women and children
A 2007 study by the National Department of Health, found that 29.1% of pregnant women were estimated to be HIV-positive, with the highest prevalence rates in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mpumalanga. UNAIDS research found that females aged 15–24 account for 90% of the latest HIV infections for this age group.
Women of childbearing age appear to be particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and to the transmission of the virus to their children. Of direct consequence is the devastating effect that AIDS is having on children. UNAIDS estimates that 280,000 children under 15 were infected with HIV in 2007, with many more made vulnerable by the disease. Roughly 1.4 million South African children have been orphaned by AIDS, and there are millions of children who are living with sick parents unable to care for their basic needs, with older children often required to leave school to take on the role of primary caregiver.
Turning the tide
In March 2007, the National Department of Health published the Operational Plan that commits to providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to all South African citizens. This multi-sectoral plan is a significant advance on previous plans and although the government has been widely criticised for failing to put high-level political support behind the plan’s implementation, the recent appointment of Barbara Hogan as Minister of Health has given new hope to the HIV/AIDS sector. However, an uneven delivery of health services means that many communities are still not receiving effective programmes in prevention, treatment and care.
Recognising the urgency of the situation, civil society and the private sector have pioneered initiatives to respond to the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. These include political campaigns for access to life-saving antiretroviral treatment by all citizens, interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the virus and awareness advertising campaigns and national “edutainment” programmes aimed at education and prevention. In addition, thousands of grassroots programmes have been initiated throughout the country including home-based care programmes staffed by dedicated volunteers, and programmes promoting voluntary testing and counselling as well as treatment and access to medical care.
The staggering growth in the number of children orphaned by AIDS has been met by a significant increase in the development of community-based daycare centres, crèches and after-school drop-in centres that provide regular meals, caring adults and educational support, and help give these children some form of stability.
Investing in HIV/AIDS projects
The problems caused by AIDS have far-reaching consequences for human development in any society. At national level, the effect becomes apparent as the losses accumulate and resources diminish, thereby curtailing options for development and change. Both individual enterprises and the economy as a whole suffers as many employees with skills become unable to work or die. Other employees’ productivity is affected as they struggle to care for sick family members or deal with bereavement.
Despite the government’s growing commitment to tackling these challenges, state funding is not enough to address the needs in prevention, treatment, care, support and research. Private investment and support is needed if we are to address the enormous challenges that this pandemic poses to our country.
Best practice
SASIX focuses on HIV/AIDS development projects that improve the health and quality of life of those infected and affected by the disease by increasing their access to health care and other social services as well as boosting their ability to actively take part in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV and AIDS within their homes and communities.
SASIX offers investment opportunities in projects that:
- focus on education and awareness-raising to prevent the spread of HIV and empower people to make choices that minimise the risk of being infected with HIV.
- promote voluntary testing and counselling in communities, educational institutions and workplaces.
- help people with HIV/AIDS to obtain anti-retroviral treatment and medical care and to adhere to medical treatment.
- respond to the needs of children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS, with an emphasis on caring for their basic needs as well as efforts to keep them in school.
- promote gender equality and reduce the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection, involving men and boys in the effort as well.
- assist HIV/AIDS civil society organisations to strengthen their capacity and outreach efforts.
- provide training and counselling for members of community-based organisations involved in identifying and monitoring vulnerable children and families, mobilising community resources to offer them material and moral support and assisting them with home-based care.
- advocate for and protect the rights of people living with AIDS and their families, ensuring their access to health and welfare services.
