SA’s HIV response, long praised globally, faces a serious setback as Deputy President Paul Mashatile warns that 1.1m people have been lost to follow-up, undermining progress in treatment outcomes. While the country excels in testing and viral suppression, it is struggling to keep patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). SA currently sits at 96-80-97 against the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets, with the middle figure—treatment retention—posing the biggest challenge. A new campaign “Close the Gap” aims to re-engage patients through community-focused efforts such as door-to-door tracing, ward mobilisation, and partnerships with civil society and traditional leaders. – TimesLive (1 Dec 2025)
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