increasing access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care in Washington
DC, United States
9 January 2006
The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, arrived in Washington
DC, USA, to attend a two-day meeting of the Global Steering Committee on
increasing access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care, which starts
on 9 January.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang was invited by UNAIDS to be a member of the
Steering Committee tasked to identifying key obstacles that are blocking the
scaling up of comprehensive and integrated of prevention, treatment, care and
support programme.
The Committee was established as a result of the resolution of the United
Nations (UN) General Assembly, which requested the UNAIDS and its co-sponsors
to assist in facilitating inclusive, country driven processes for scaling up
HIV prevention, treatment care and support. UNAIDS was also requested to
present an assessment on these processes to the General Assembly meeting to
review progress on the Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS to be held in
May 2006.
The Global Steering Committee will also assist countries to develop their
own roadmaps for increasing coverage of comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS
by 2010.
Some of the obstacles that will be discussed by the Committee at this
two-day meeting include:
* Adequate and sustainable financing for scaled up AIDS responses
* Human resource capacity and other health systems constraints
* Affordable commodities and low-cost technologies
* And human rights, stigma, discrimination and gender equity.
"It is significant that South Africa has been invited to participate in this
process which is critical in shaping the global response to HIV and AIDS over
the next five years and beyond. We have to ensure that the world responds in a
comprehensive manner, emphasising the centrality of prevention and equitable
access to quality treatment, care and support," said Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
09 January 2006
