on the relationship between the Minister and Deputy Minister of Health
6 September 2006
The suggestion that there are any differences of opinion between the
Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and her Deputy Ms Nozizwe
Madlala-Routledge over the government policy on HIV/AIDS is far from truth.
There can be no difference as there is only one policy which is contained in
the comprehensive plan for management, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS which was
developed by the Department of Health and adopted by Cabinet in November
2003.
All government departments and public representatives use this comprehensive
plan as a reference point in addressing the challenge 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. Antiretrovirals (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 has to cover to reflect the comprehensive nature of the
government response to HIV/AIDS in the country.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Minister of Health
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
6 September 2006
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za/)
