MDANTSANE, EC - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) activists are calling for longer supply of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs).
This will allow for fewer trips to the clinics to collect medicine.
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The activists said this on Saturday as they led a march in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape where they delivered a memorandum of demands to Deputy President Paul Mashatile alongside Minister of Health is Aaron Motsoaledi
Both Mashatile and Motsoaledi were expected to address residents ahead of World Aids Day.
World Aids Day is observed annually on 1 December.
This year the day was celebrated under the theme "Equal Rights, Equal Care" for its official event in the Eastern Cape.
The South African National AIDS Council says while significant strides have been made in curbing the spread of the disease there is still much work to be done.
Meanwhile the Eastern Cape Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa revealed that as of 2023 the province saw at least 46000 people being tested for HIV and placed on treatment.
She said from January 2024 up to date at least 22 400 people are HIV positive.
eNCA's reporter Moloko Moloto, has more details.