The National Health Department says its efforts to track those who have tested positive for HIV and those who have stopped taking medication have started to show positive results. This, as South Africa joins other countries in commemorating World Aids Day today.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is leading the national event at the Masemola Stadium in the Sekhukhune district in Limpopo.
World AIDS Day I Deputy President Paul Mashatile leads the commemoration
The department’s Chief Director for HIV/AIDS, Gugu Shabangu says they are determined to increase the number of those who need medication.
“Our target was 1.1 million and to date, we have managed to bring 949 023 people. We are sitting at 62% in this campaign; however, I must indicate that at the same time we are also losing our clients and those that we are losing are not the very same cohort, but it means just that our clients are coming back to our facilities, but at the same time some are going out.”
Shabangu adds, “So our main challenge is to ensure that once we get all of them back, we retain them on treatment so that we are able to achieve our 95%.”
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-man-walking-in-the-rain-with-an-umbrella.jpg?id=61114346&width=1200&height=800&coordinates=132%2C0%2C132%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>After a full work week of <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-weather" target="_blank">sunny weather</a>, high UV, and even a two-day heat wave, Montreal's summer streak is about to get soaked.</p><p> <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/environment-canada" target="_blank">Environment Canada</a> issued a special weather statement early Friday morning, warning that a significant amount of rain is expected to fall across the city starting Friday evening, with thunderstorms potentially pushing totals even higher.</p><p>According to the advisory, rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 millimetres are expected from Friday through Sunday morning, but some areas could see even more than that depending on thunderstorm activity. </p><p>"A weather system will move across Southern Quebec this weekend," the agency said. "This system could produce significant rainfall amounts from Friday to Sunday. The heaviest precipitation is expected from Friday evening to Saturday evening."</p><p>If the 50 mm forecast holds, Montreal could get about <a href="https://weatherspark.com/y/25077/Average-Weather-in-Montr%C3%A9al-Quebec-Canada-Year-Round" target="_blank">half its average monthly rainfall</a> in just a single day.</p><p><strong></strong>Environment Canada notes the advisory applies to several regions, including Montreal, Montérégie, Outaouais, Laurentians, Lanaudière, the Eastern Townships and more. The agency also warns of water accumulation in low-lying areas, and says some rivers could experience increased flow and water levels.</p><p>The good news? Sunday afternoon is looking sunny again, with a mild overnight low of 20 C to wrap up the weekend.</p><p><span></span>Here's the forecast for Montreal over the next few days:</p><ul> <li>Friday, June 27: Cloudy with a high of 26 C, followed by evening showers or thunderstorms and 10 to 20 mm of rain.</li><li>Saturday, June 28: More rain with a high of 23 C and humidex of 30. Showers continue into the evening.</li><li>Sunday, June 29: Finally clearing up with a high of 26 C.</li></ul><p>So if you had Saturday patio plans, you might want to swap them for Netflix and takeout — or grab an umbrella and make it an adventure.</p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p>
