29 August 2006
The South African Medical Association should not misrepresent Government
policy on HIV/AIDS.
The Minister of Health speaks about the Comprehensive Plan for Management,
Care and Treatment of HIV/AIDS.
The Plan states that in the absence of a cure, prevention is the mainstay of
our response. It promotes voluntary counselling and testing.
It seeks to prolong the period between HIV infection and development of AIDS
defining conditions by encouraging healthy lifestyles. A healthy lifestyle
includes regular physical activity, good nutrition and safe sexual behaviour as
well as discouraging health risk behaviour such as smoking, alcohol and
substance abuse.
The Plan includes treatment of opportunistic infections and it promotes
research and development of African traditional medicines.
It makes antiretroviral available as an option for those with a CD4 count of
200 and below. Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) are now provided free of charge in about
231 public health facilities.
This is the totality of the Plan that every public representative that is
speaking on HIV/AIDS, including Minister Tshabalala-Msimang, has to cover to
reflect the comprehensive nature of the government response to HIV/AIDS in the
country.
Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Minister of Health
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Ministry of Health
29 August 2006
