Gauteng doubles HIV treatment numbers
By mid-2013, Gauteng had more than 505 644 adults on treatment, with Johannesburg (177 176), Ekurhuleni (133 864) and Tshwane (106 067) in the top five districts for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment in the country, behind eThekwini (207 091), according to the latest District Health Barometer by the Health Systems Trust.
Virtually all babies born in Johannesburg to HIV-positive mothers were tested for the virus within with weeks of birth – the best rate in the country.
But Gauteng had the lowest contraceptive coverage of all provinces with only about 28 percent of couples using some form of contraceptive. Tshwane district, where about a quarter of couples reported using contraception, was second worst in the country.
In addition, only about one-third of pregnant women in Johannesburg had been for a check-up by 20 weeks, one of the lowest rates in the country. Early check-ups are key in eliminating problems in labour.
In addition, screening for cervical cancer is lower than the national average in Gauteng.
Nationally, expenditure per person on non-hospital related primary healthcare, such as clinics and health programmes more than doubled in the last eight years from R324 in 2004/05 to R780 in 2012/13.
Gauteng spent the highest amount per person on non-hospital primary healthcare – R335, in comparison to a national average of R255. – Health-e News Service.
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