The Ministry of Health welcomes two major AIDS-related announcements made during the past few days. During this past week the Ambassador of the United States of America (USA) South Africa announced that his country was going to make available R900 million over a period of two years as part of helping South Africa in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
The donation comes amid concerns that the allocation made by National Treasury was not sufficient and as such the antiretroviral (ARV) programme was going to encounter serious problems as has been happening in various parts of the country.
"We are extremely grateful for this support by the USA. For us the support will further strengthen our arm in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the country," said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi shortly before his departure for Zambia as part of President Zuma's delegation on a state visit to that country this afternoon.
The Health Minister thanked the USA for their support and committed himself to ensuring that the funding will indeed produce the desired results. The Minister has also welcomed the announcement by the Zulu monarch during Saturday's Umkhosi Wokweshwama in Nongoma that he was going to re-introduce male circumcision among his subjects. Although not 100% effective, scientists have found that male circumcision provides some protection against the transmission of HIV.
"We have to throw every arsenal at our disposal in the fight against HIV and AIDS in our country. The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) has directed the Ministry of Health to proceed with the implementation of male circumcision in our facilities," said Motsoaledi. The department is already in the process of assessing the readiness of the country's health facilities for the implementation of such a policy.
For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333
Issued by: Department of Health
7 December 2009
