AIDS programmes
11 January 2006
The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, called for sustainable
financing of HIV and AIDS programmes to ensure better planning and improve
effectiveness of these programmes.
The Minister was speaking at a two-day (9 to 10 January) meeting of the
UNAIDS Global Steering Committee on increasing access to HIV and AIDS
prevention, treatment and care held in Washington DC, USA.
The Minister was chairing a working group on adequate financing for
scaled-up AIDS responses.
"A comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS requires sustainable financing
that allows for progressive planning, effective implementation and continuous
monitoring. This includes mobilisation of domestic resources and alignment of
additional resources from donor funding to national priorities of benefiting
countries," said Dr Tshabalala-Msimang.
She said South Africa relies mainly on its national resources for financing
of its response to AIDS and the Medium Term Expenditure Framework allows for
better forecasting and implementation of the country's comprehensive response
to AIDS.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang is a member of the Global Steering Committee
which was established as a result of the resolution of the United Nations (UN)
General Assembly requesting UNAIDS 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 New York in May 2006. South Africa would be
convening national stakeholders to review the progress that the country has
made in implementing the declaration adopted by the General Assembly in
2001.
Enquiries: Sibani Mngadi
Minister's spokesperson
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Ministry of Health
11 January 2006
