Madlala-Routledge, on media reports calling the President to do an AIDS
test
12 December 2006
Following weekend press reports arising from an interview I had with Stephen
Bevan of the London Sunday Telegraph, published by local newspapers, I would
like to clarify the matter as follows:
Although I encourage people to test so that they know their HIV status, I
did not, as a matter of fact, call upon the President to conduct a public test
as claimed by the reports. The journalist asked me if I thought it helped if
people in leadership positions tested, to which I responded in the
affirmative.
This was in response to me taking a public HIV test as part of the Sunday
Times campaign for South Africans to get tested. The main point I was making
was to unite all South Africans behind this important campaign for testing,
which forms part of the National Strategic Plan on HIV and AIDS and Sexually
Transmitted Infections (STI) for South Africa and the Comprehensive Plan on HIV
Management, Care and Treatment, adopted by Cabinet in December 2003.
I wish to reiterate my commitment to the policy framework as agreed by
Cabinet to ensure that the whole of government communicate a single, clear and
consistent message on HIV and AIDS.
Enquiries:
Bonakele Mabel Dlamini
Tel: (012) 312 0924 / (021) 461 4560/1
Fax: (012) 312 0854 / (021) 461 9203
Cell: 082 376 2677
Issued by: Department of Health
12 December 2006
Source: Department of Health (http://www.doh.gov.za)
