More than 1.7 million people have utilised the government's Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) programme in the past financial year, said the Department of Health on Tuesday.

Between April 2005 and March 2006, 1,715 588 received pre-HIV testing counseling and 80 percent of them tested for HIV. About 35 percent (479086) of those who tested were found to be HIV positive.

Departmental spokesperson Sibani Mngadi attributed this success to government's HIV and AIDS awareness campaign which encouraged people to know their HIV status.

"Government's HIV and AIDS communication programme Khomanani particularly highlights the need for testing.

"In its media campaign with the theme: "Taking relationships to a higher level", Khomanani encourages young partners to test for HIV," said Mr Mngadi.

He added that the uptake was also enhanced by the wide accessibility of this service across the country.

A total of 4172 VCT service points are operational in both medical and non-medical sites in all nine provinces. Voluntary Counseling and Testing is available in more than 90 percent of clinics.

Government allocates close to R26 million annually to all provinces for VCT services based on provincial targets to cover all resources necessary for quality VCT services.

In this regard, Mr Mngadi encouraged everyone to utilise these services and that any information relating to the utilisation of these services would be treated with maximum confidentiality.

"All testing is voluntary and users of this service are requested to give consent for HIV testing after appropriate counseling," he said, adding that VCT was critical in enhancing HIV prevention efforts and improving the effectiveness of care and treatment services.