15 March 2007
National Consultative Conference of the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for
HIV AND AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) 2007 - 2011
Today government led by the chairperson of the South African National AIDS
Council, (SANAC) Deputy President Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, embarked on a
consultative conference attended by over 500 delegates from various
constituencies including business, civil society, Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs) and Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and researchers
who work in the area of HIV and AIDS to deliberate on the new National
Strategic Plan 2007-2011 for further input and approval.
The national consultative conference also attended by the representative of
South Africa's largest labour federation, the Congress of South African Trade
Unions (COSATU), Zwelinzima Vavi and President of Business Unity SA, Patrick
Motsepe. Government delegation included the Acting Minister of Health Mr Jeff
Radebe, Education Minister Naledi Pandor, Public Service and Administration
Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Deputy Minister of Health Nozizwe
Madlala-Routledge and Correctional Services Deputy Minister Loretta Jacobus as
well as Health MECs from all nine provinces.
The Deputy President once more emphasised the need for partnerships between
Government, business and broader civil society. She challenged South Africans
to dream of an AIDS-free South Africa and Africa. The most revolutionary way of
combating the disease relied on the individual decision to prevent infection
and re-infection. She encouraged all sectors to scale up their participation in
combating of HIV and AIDS.
In his key address, the Acting Minister of Health Mr Radebe acknowledged and
appraised the efforts to reinvigorate an effective, coherent collaboration that
has brought effect to a solid draft plan, building on the past successes as
well addressing the challenges of the 2000-2005 NSP for HIV and AIDS and
Sexually Transmitted Infections.
He further indicated the need for integrated government interventions in
mitigating the social impact of the disease. By identifying factors such as
gender based violence, unemployment and better and improved basic services, the
Minister provided a holistic approach that is being engaged by government in
pushing back the pandemic.
The Secretary General of COSATU, Zwelinzima Vavi lauded the leadership of
the Deputy President as chair of SANAC, and in his own words he referred to the
day as "marking a turning point in the struggle to stop the AIDS pandemic." He
referred to the World AIDS Day 2006 messages by reminding the conference that
through collaboration and commitment the country has once more embraced a new
chapter in the spirit of a true partnership. He endorsed the support from
labour to give expression in the implementation of the plan by mobilising
health workers and the workforce within the health sector. The plan was
described as giving hope to the millions of the people of South Africa.
The final input for the morning came from the President of Business Unity
South Africa (BUSA) Mr Motsepe who shared the prevailing spirit and conviction
to strengthen the partnership and ensure practical implementation. He committed
business to play its role working together with all people to deal with this
huge challenge.
Tomorrow, the conference will receive reports from commissions that have
been discussing the four priority areas for the Plan, which are: Prevention;
Treatment, care and support; Research, monitoring and evaluation; Human and
legal rights. The expectation of the conference will be to reaffirm these
priority areas and endorse the new National Strategic Plan for HIV, AIDS and
STIs for 2007-2011.
Contact:
Thabang Chiloane
Cell: 082 888 8783
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: The Presidency
15 March 2007
Source: SAPA
