Africa to fight diseases
23 May 2006
The World Health Organisation should assist Africa in dealing with the
triple burden of disease undermining health in the continent, Health Minister
Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang urged the WHO when she addressed the World Health
Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland today.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang said while Africa carries a huge burden of
infectious diseases (HIV and AIDS, TB and malaria), it also have a fair share
of chronic diseases of lifestyle such as diabetes and cardio vascular diseases.
There is also a significantly high number of cases of trauma and violence.
The global report on chronic diseases reveals shocking statistics. It
indicates that 60% of all deaths are due to chronic diseases and 80% of these
deaths are occurring in low and middle income countries, said Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang.
She said the international conference on Injury Prevention and Safety
Promotion held in Durban earlier this year highlighted the alarming statistics
on deaths, injuries and disabilities caused by violence and trauma.
Road traffic accidents alone claim 1.2 million lives per year and leave
between 20 and 50 million people with temporary or permanent disabilities
globally, said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
She expressed appreciation at the involvement of the WHO in preparation for
the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS to be held
in New York next week (31 May -2 June).
It has always been the approach of the South African Government to have a
comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS and that such a response becomes an
integral part of the strengthening of the health systems, said Minister
Tshabalala-Msimang.
She reported to the Assembly the efforts that South Africa was making to
recruit and retain health workers as part of improving healthcare delivery and
said that government was in the process of reviewing remuneration packages for
health workers in the country.
Apart from salaries, the provision of suitable working environment,
essential equipment and strengthening of managerial capacity are vital to job
satisfaction. We are therefore accelerating the pace at which we are repairing
the existing infrastructure and building new facilities while providing the
necessary equipment, said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang used the opportunity of her address to the World
Health Assembly to mourn the sudden death of the Director-General of the WHO,
Dr Lee Jong-wook, who passed away a few hours before the official opening of
the World Health Assembly yesterday.
On behalf of the people and government of South Africa, we express our
condolences to his family and staff at WHO. The unfortunate death of Dr Lee is
a huge loss to the world's endeavour to promote good health and effective
management of diseases, said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
Contact: Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 0827720161
Charity Bhengu
Cell:0836797424
Issued by: Ministry of Health
23 May 2006
