Government on national strategic plan on HIV and AIDS

10 August 2007

Following the President's decision to relieve Ms Nozizwe Madlala-Routlidge
from her duties as Deputy Minister of Health, and the subsequent media reports
implying that government policy and programmes on HIV/AIDS were at risk,
government wishes to clarify the position as follows:

The government wishes to re-affirm its commitment to the national policy and
strategic plan on HIV and AIDS (NSP 2007-2011), that was approved by Cabinet
and the South African National Council on HIV/AIDS (SANAC). The existing
consensus is the outcome of a process that was led by the Deputy President, the
Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), and the leaders of the civil society
organisations. Therefore, government position will not be affected by any
changes in leadership at any level as the IMC is fully functional under the
leadership of the Deputy President, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The NSP is a comprehensive and holistic approach that is designed to guide
the country's response to the pandemic. The targets set out in the National
Strategic Plan (NSP) for HIV/AIDS for 2007-2011 have been informed by broad and
comprehensive consultation with civil society, South African scientists,
labour, business, traditional leaders, lobby groups and health workers who have
extensive experience in the area of  HIV and AIDS. The plan is already
being implemented by government departments and the various stakeholders in all
sectors of our society.

The newly reconstituted South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) and the
Inter-Ministerial Committee are in full swing and working tirelessly to ensure
that the implementation of the plan remains the responsibility of all
parties.

The concerted national partnership to win the war against the HIV and AIDS
pandemic is at a critical point and all South Africans are re-assured of
government's continuing efforts to ensure that the nation emerges victorious in
our common goal of winning this war.

South African Government re-affirms its commitment to the NSP and is doing
everything in its power to ensure that we meet the NSP targets of reducing the
number of new infection by half, by 2011, and ensuring that at least 8 out of
10 people who need antiretroviral treatment receive it.

We wish to re-assure all South Africans that we have taken bold steps in the
fight against the pandemic and that nothing will reverse this unity and common
purpose.

Enquiries: Themba Maseko (Government Spokesperson)
Cell: 083 645 0810

Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
10 August 2007