​Koketso Maraba
 
In the 2023/24 financial year, the Gauteng province surpassed its HIV testing target by over 570 000 tests, conducting more than 5.4 million tests. This success was achieved through expanded self-screening, index contact testing, and community services across all five health districts.
MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko announced this achievement during the launch of the UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2025 on Thursday, 10 July 2025 in Ekurhuleni, emphasising the province's vital contribution to worldwide efforts.  
Gauteng's HIV strategy combined innovation with grassroots outreach. Sixteen mobile health clinics brought HIV and STI screening, PrEP counselling, and child immunisation directly into townships, informal settlements and hostels, significantly improving access in underserved areas. 
The Corner-to-Corner campaign turned everyday public spaces into hubs for HIV counselling, testing, and health education, helping reduce stigma and encouraging more people to get tested. 
Targeted efforts for key populations marked another major advance. In Rosebank, the Engage Men's Health clinic has created a stigma-free environment to serve men who have sex with men, providing essential HIV and STI care. Meanwhile, in the Sedibeng District, a Key Population centre supports sex workers, people who inject drugs, inmates, and LGBTQI+ community members, ensuring that vulnerable individuals are not overlooked. 
Measurable public health gains followed these efforts. Mother-to-child HIV transmission remains low at just 0.2%, a result of the strong Vertical Transmission Prevention programme that includes pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis. Among young people aged 15 to 24, the HIV positivity rate dropped from 1.3% to 1.1%, reflecting the success of prevention efforts, including PrEP outreach. 
However, challenges remain. Patient adherence to treatment, loss to follow-up, and engagement with youth and key populations continue to require focus. 
"Overcoming these gaps will require strong collaboration across sectors and sustained community involvement to achieve an HIV-free generation by 2030," emphasised MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko. 
At the national level, Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi placed Gauteng's achievements in a broader context. Reflecting on the country's journey since 2010, the launch of the world's largest HIV counselling, testing, and treatment campaign. 
"Over 5.9 million people are now on antiretroviral therapy, life expectancy has improved, and maternal mortality has decreased markedly. Paediatric HIV births have dropped from about 70,000 annually in 2004 to just 634 by March 2024," said Minister Motsoaledi. 
The minister also cautioned against viewing HIV, AIDS, and TB as permanent budget items, urging instead that "We must start thinking about elimination. We must start thinking about getting rid of this disease. And it is within our reach." 
The strong response from Gauteng shows how provincial action can support these global objectives, demonstrating real-world leadership in ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.