Tshabalala-Msimang
6 June 2007
The Department of Health welcomes the official return of the Health Minister
Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang to her office today following the announcement by
the Presidency in this regard yesterday. Tshabalala-Msimang is expected to
immediately honour two prescheduled parliamentary obligations of the Ministry
of Health this week.
Today, 6 June 2007, the Minister is answering questions in the National
Assembly relating to health. The Minister will tomorrow present the budget of
the Department of Health for debate and adoption by the National Assembly. Both
of these obligations were arranged by the Ministry of Health and Parliament
long before the announcement yesterday that Tshabalala-Msimang was resuming her
duties.
In her budget speech, the Minister is expected to highlight progress that
the Department of Health has made in improving the health status of the people
of South Africa. This includes announcement of the results of the latest
antenatal survey of HIV prevalence amongst pregnant women which indicates a
statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of HIV in the country.
She will also report on the overall progress that the Department of Health
is making in responding to HIV and AIDS including determination to achieve the
goals of the new national Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS for 2007-11 and
provide support for the restructured South African National Aids Council.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Department of Health
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
6 June 2007
