According to Masike, the number of annual deaths increased sharply from 1997, when 316 559 people died, to 2006 when 607 184 died.
Speaking at the North West Provincial HIV and Aids Strategic Planning Lekgotla hosted by the Provincial Council on Aids, Masike said young people were the ones mostly affected by the disease.
"This [increase] is not necessarily due solely to HIV and Aids but it is young adults, the age group most affected by Aids, who are particularly shouldering the burden of the increasing mortality rate," he said.
He also expressed concern on the "global corruption chain" by big international conglomerates that see Africa as a "milk cow" and in turn sell medicines at exorbitant prices.
"The little resources that we have at our disposal are taken from us to further enrich developed countries with far less social problems like ours," he said.
In the North West, mid-year estimates have shown that 92 000 people in the province are eligible for ART.
The North West has trained 1 400 nurses to administer ARVs. An additional 500 nurses will also undergo training in the current financial year. Accredited facilities to offer ARVs will also increase from 138 to 233 by March 2012.
Masike commended South Africa for making great strides in trying to reduce the burden of HIV and Aids.
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