A new plan, the country’s fifth consecutive plan for HIV, TB and STIs, aims to help end these diseases as public health threats by 2030 – and all citizens can have their say, simply by visiting a user-friendly new web portal launched today. The National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023-2028 for HIV, TB and STIs is a five-year strategy coordinated by the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and contributed to by all sectors of society – from health workers, scientists, civil society and labour unions to government, development partners and, importantly, ordinary South Africans.

The Council’s key role is to bring together government, civil society and the private sector to create a collective response to HIV, TB and STIs in South Africa. The strategy will replace the NSP 2017-2022 (which has been extended by a year as a result of COVID-19-related disruptions) and aims to guide a powerful, united response to these health challenges – with a genuine focus on transparency, inclusivity and collaboration.

The draft is the result of extensive provincial consultations from May to July 2022 – including with vulnerable populations such as sex workers, people with disabilities and people who use drugs – and a national workshop for SANAC stakeholders. Broad input was also invited through an online survey. Now all South Africans who have not yet had the chance to comment are urged to make their voices heard – and no matter how small, every contribution will be considered.

The NSP portal is now open for comment and, once finalised, the refined plan, endorsed by SANAC, will be published and tabled to Cabinet for approval, and launched in March 2023. Public participation in the process is vital, according to the Council – placing communities at the centre of the response to HIV, TB and STIs is key. “We need the public to be part of the process and to make inputs, because the NSP belongs to all South Africans. This is a plan that seeks to address the HIV, TB and STIs epidemics in an inclusive way and requires a multisectoral response, including people from all levels of society,” says SANAC CEO Dr Thembisile Xulu.

She believes ending HIV, TB and STIs as a public health threat by 2030 is achievable if all key stakeholders play a role in developing and implementing key, targeted interventions. “We want people to interrogate the draft plan – the targets remain drafts until the final strategy is adopted by Cabinet.” Dr Xulu adds, “The NSP consultations have taken place in all nine provinces of South Africa, and have received input from thousands of people from different sectors and organisations, including people living with HIV and people infected with TB and STIs.”

People are urged to visit the dedicated NSP mini site to view the full draft NSP 2023-2028. The portal also provides other relevant information, resources and contact details. Through soliciting input on the plan from all South Africans, SANAC wants to ensure that all voices are heard and priorities identified for the NSP 2023-2028; understand and identify challenges that hinder the country’s progress towards ending HIV, TB and STIs as public health threats by 2030; ensure buy-in and ownership of the NSP at all levels; and understand and develop nuanced and contextual solutions to respond to HIV, TB and STIs.

The NSP contributes towards South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030, which in turn contributes towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Visit the NSP 2023-2028 mini site here, and add your voice to help South Africa eliminate HIV, TB and STIs as public health threats by 2030: nsp.sanac.org.za