Kgatleng District records decline in STI cases, struggles with partner tracing
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Wednesday July 2, 2025 06:04
This figure marks a slight decrease of 111 cases compared to the previous quarter’s total of 2, 361. Furthermore, the council noted that vaginal discharge syndrome remains the most commonly reported STI in the district. It is followed by urethral syndrome and pelvic inflammatory disease, respectively. However, despite the overall decline in reported cases, challenges persist in partner tracing. According to KDC chairperson, Thabo Komane, the partner tracing rate stood at 15.1%, a significant drop from the 25.7% recorded in the previous quarter and well below the national target of 60%. “the highest testing rate was in January and a progressive decline in testing on the following months (Feb & March). This was due to current unavailability and/or near finish testing kits in the facilities. The status remained the same as the current stock is only used in certain scenarios such as clinical suspicion, rape/incest cases and also on key populations,” the chairperson said. Furthermore, despite the low testing rates, positivity rate shows a fluctuating trend and high.
On issues of teenage pregnancy, KDC said they have recorded reduction from 279 Reduction to 251 (10%) in Kgatleng District by March 31, 2025. “Mathubudukwane YFS clinic officially opened March 3, 2025. The campaign for teenage pregnancy are continuing. Currently contraceptive mix campaign continued in two schools being Molefi and Motswedi were reached out. While community outreaches done at Oodi, Phaphane, Bokaa, two Mochudi mall events,” he said. Moreover, he said some of the challenges include shortage of long acting contraceptives to meet the demand and skilled personnel (implants insertion and removal), staffing issues which affects opening of some youth clinics, shortage of commodities affected uptake of services e.g. testing kits, ARV’S and lack of funding to drive Implementation. As a way forward, he said they are establishing Youth Friendly Services based programs in clinics designed to meet the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people. While, on Prevention of Mother To Child Transmission, he said they are few initiations due to low testing rate(shortage of test kits) and monitoring of clients on Antiretroviral Therapy was a challenge as there was a shortage of lab commodities during the reporting period. 'As a way of intervening, council is doing continuous counselling and education in the community to reduce complications and deaths and also to encourage those who are reluctant to start treatment. Clinicians encouraged to continue update the system and conduct audits to verify their data,” he revealed. Still on health, he said Primary Health Care Services were officially transferred from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, bringing 14 clinics, 12 health posts, 300 staff members, 11 ambulances, 4 utility vehicles, and 100 staff houses under the management of the Kgatleng District Council.
Furthermore, he said this move brings healthcare delivery closer to the people, enabling more responsive, and localized solutions to unique district health needs. He said they reached 12, 838 beneficiaries in our 26 health facilities; 7, 434 received Tsabana, and 5, 404 were apportioned Malutu and beans. While Tsabana coverage reached 100%, consistent delivery has been disrupted due to the expiry of the pure sunflower oil contract, non-delivery of Malutu by suppliers, and ongoing stock shortages of beans, he stated. On the other hand, he said on the fight against HIV/AIDS, STIs, and TB continues with determination. He continued; “more than 12,000 individuals are currently on ARV treatment, with 98.6% program uptake and a commendable zero mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) rate. We also recorded over 2,250 new STI cases, distributed more than 95,000 male condoms, and reached dozens of communities through targeted wellness campaigns, youth-friendly services, and school-based education.”