PSH and Siyakwazi attend the launch of SA's first LGBTI HIV Plan

SANAC launched South Africa’s first LGBTI HIV plan during a satellite session at its eighth annual SA AIDS Conference at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

The five-year plan supports the newly launched National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB, and STIs for the period 2017 to 2022. It is a strategic guide tailored for challenges that are more prevalent to LGBTI people and is a milestone in the country’s response to HIV, STIs, and TB. Through a package of services outlined, the plan will assist the country by providing a focused guidance to help reverse the prevalence of HIV, TB, and STIs, as well as address issues of stigma and discrimination among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people. “Overall, the plan brings us closer to a world in which members of the LGBTI populations realise their health and human rights in an environment that affirms their sexual orientations and identities,” says Dr Connie Kganakga, SANAC acting CEO. Renowned activist, SANAC deputy chairperson and leader of the LGBTI sector, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, adds, “Sexual minorities experience prejudice when trying to access treatment; a challenge that hinders enrolment to care. We commend SANAC, and its leaders, for a much-needed strategy that will ensure that LGBTI people have access to competent services. The most important process now will be the implementation." The launch was attended by human rights activist and justice of the Constitutional Court judge Edwin Cameron, the deputy minister of justice and constitutional development, John Jeffrey, and SANAC deputy chair Steve Letsike.