worldwide, says Health Minister
26 November 2007
Health Minister, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, has welcomed the recognition
of South Africa as one of the 17 countries that are on track towards meeting
the United Nations 2010 target in the provision of antiretroviral treatment for
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT).
"These findings clearly demonstrate our commitment as government to meet
fighting HIV and AIDS vigorously and meeting the global targets in this regard.
We also can proudly say that we have enrolled the largest number of people on
ARVs worldwide.
"We are determined to do everything possible to protect women and children
from HIV infection and to offer a comprehensive package of care and treatment
to those who are infected and affected," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang. The
Minister was reacting to the findings of the 2007 Report Card on PMTCT and
Peadiatric HIV Care and Treatment in low-and middle income countries presented
at the Global Partners Forum on PMTCT that started in Johannesburg today,
Monday, November 26.
In her opening address to the forum, Minister Tshabalala-Msimang said South
Africa has expanded PMTCT programme to over 90% of our public health facilities
in an effort to attain global targets in addressing HIV and AIDS.
"All antenatal clients are offered PMTCT services as part of a comprehensive
approach to maternal, child and women's health services. Antenatal attendance
is high at about 80% and all these women are provided with appropriate
counselling. All pregnant women testing HIV positive are offered CD4 count
testing. Women with CD4 counts below 200 are offered antiretroviral treatment,"
said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
She said South Africa is proud to be a country with the largest number
antiretroviral treatment programme in the world. "More than 370 000 people had
been initiated on antiretroviral therapy by September 2007. More than 32 000 of
these are children under 14 years," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
She said this rapid expansion of AIDS programmes was becoming possible
because of government commitment of significant amount of resources into a
response to HIV and AIDS with 90% of national AIDS programmes financed by
government. "During the period of our first National Strategic (2000/05), the
annual budget allocation for HIV and AIDS increased from R200 million to R1,2
billion. For Health Department alone, the budget is standing at R2.1 billion
for this financial year. When you add other government expenditure relating to
HIV and AIDS, the total government HIV and AIDS budget rises to R4 billion for
the current financial year," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Media Liaison Officer
Ministry of Health
Tel: 012 312 0763
Fax: 012 325 5526
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
26 November 2007
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
