The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has launched an urgent campaign to track down nearly 117,000 people who have stopped taking their antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and bring them back into care by the end of the year.
Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane revealed that while the province has 1.5 million people currently stable on ARVs, thousands more have dropped out of treatment—putting their health at risk and increasing the chances of drug resistance.
Close the Gap: A National Lifeline
The province has joined the Close the Gap campaign, a nationwide initiative by the National Department of Health and the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), targeting 1.1 million people across South Africa who know their HIV status but are not on treatment.
In KZN alone, an estimated 200,000 people have fallen out of care, but the department has set an ambitious goal of reconnecting 117,616 of them by December.
Why Do People Stop Treatment?
MEC Simelane, speaking on the department’s KZN Health Chat programme, explained that treatment fatigue is a major challenge.
“People take their medication, feel better, and then think they can stop. But they only feel well because the treatment is working. Stopping can lead to drug resistance, making future treatment harder and putting lives at risk,” she warned.
She also highlighted that alcohol abuse plays a role in treatment defaulting.
“You don’t have to drink to be fashionable. But if you do, drink responsibly—especially on ARVs. Excessive drinking makes it easy to forget medication, and that’s dangerous.”
A Plea to Return to Care
The department is urging those who have stopped treatment to return to their nearest clinic without fear of judgment.
“No one should die because they stopped taking life-saving medication. If you’ve defaulted, come back. Our healthcare workers are ready to help,” Simelane said.
How the Campaign Will Work
Community outreach teams will trace missing patients.
Healthcare workers will provide counselling and support for those returning.
Awareness drives will combat stigma and misinformation around HIV treatment.
With HIV remaining a critical health challenge in KZN, the success of this campaign could mean the difference between life and death for thousands.
“Your health matters. Come back. Let’s close the gap together,” Simelane urged.