Over 80 000 Gauteng residents opt not to get HIV/AIDS treatment

Gauteng health worker checking a patient’s blood pressure at George Goch Men’s Hostel

Men and young people between the ages of 15 and 24 have been urged to get tested for HIV and AIDS.

Recent statistics reveal that many men and boys remain reluctant to get tested, fueling the spread of the virus.

In Gauteng, 80 000 people are choosing not to get treatment. The treatment gap means that while those individuals have been diagnosed or are eligible for ARV treatment. They are choosing not to receive it.

On Thursday, the City of Johannesburg marked the 37th World AIDS Day at the George Goch Men’s Hostel under the theme “Renewed efforts and sustainable commitments to end AIDS.”

It also highlighted that the Lenacapavir treatment is expected to become available in 2026.

Co-chairperson of the Johannesburg AIDS Council, Tshepo Lekwape says, “One of the things that we are doing right now, because we have realised that asking them continuously to go to facilities doesn’t work. We are actually now having a campaign called Indoda Wednesday under the Better for men, better for tomorrow. We go to all corners of Johannesburg, creating safe spaces for men so that they are now free. Even in our clinic, we are pushing for a men’s corner.”

‼️In Pictures ‼️

The MMC for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Ennie Makhafola delivers a keynote note address at World AIDS Day event at George Goch Hostel, Benrose in Johannesburg.

Today’s gathering is to commemorate World AIDS Day 2025 under a… pic.twitter.com/oAgjRZG6ji

— COJ MMC for Health and Social Development (@ennie_makhafola) December 4, 2025