the Candlelight Memorial event, Parliament, Cape Town
23 May 2007
Deputy Speaker of Parliament
Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces
Members of Parliament
Ladies and Gentlemen
All protocol observed
Let me first mention that it is nice to be back in Parliament after being
away for a while. As advised by my doctor, I am currently easing back into
work. I would like to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to all of
you, the people of South Africa and abroad for your support.
My sincere gratitude goes particularly to the health workers at the Donald
Gordon Medical Centre and Johannesburg General Hospital. I am really proud of
them.
Programme Director, we are here today to remember and honour our loved ones
lost to AIDS related conditions. We are also here to demonstrate our support
for those who are living with HIV and AIDS.
The theme for this year is: "Leading the way to a world without AIDS."
The theme calls upon us as a nation to unite in order to stop the spread of
HIV infections. It also urges us to provide increased care and support for all
individuals and families whose lives have been compromised by HIV and AIDS.
These are some of the key goals of our National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS
that was adopted by Cabinet and various sectors of our society represented in
the South African National AIDS Council. This Plan is going to be officially
launched next month.
I would like to encourage all South Africans to take responsibility for
their own health and that of others. Let us protect ourselves and others from
HIV infection and re-infection. Prevention is the key to the success of our
response to HIV and AIDS.
We need to work together to encourage our people to maintain good health
through promotion of healthy lifestyles. We have to discourage risky behaviour
such as smoking, irresponsible alcohol use, substance abuse and lack of
exercise.
We also have to alert our people to the availability of care, support and
treatment interventions. Affected communities have to be aware and must be
encouraged to access treatment, care and support services that government has
made available free of charge throughout the country.
Most importantly, we have to encourage and assist people who are on HIV or
TB treatment to adhere to their treatment. In this way, we can address the
challenge of drug resistance to both TB and HIV treatment which remains a major
challenge for us and many other countries of the world.
The theme for this commemorative event highlights our quest for a generation
that is free of HIV infection. By working together as various partners, we can
realise this vision and "Lead the way to a world without AIDS."
Thank you
Issued by: Department of Health
23 May 2007
