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 and 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 and 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 and 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. Health lifestyles 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. 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 and AIDS has to cover to reflect the comprehensive nature of the government response to HIV and AIDS in the country.
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Minister of Health
0827720161