[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

9 January 2006

The Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, arrived in Washington DC, USA, to attend a two-day meeting of the Global Steering Committee on increasing access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment and care, which starts on 9 January.

Minister Tshabalala-Msimang was invited by UNAIDS to be a member of the Steering Committee tasked to identifying key obstacles that are blocking the scaling up of comprehensive and integrated of prevention, treatment, care and support programme.

The Committee was established as a result of the resolution of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, which requested the UNAIDS and its co-sponsors to assist in facilitating inclusive, country driven processes for scaling up HIV prevention, treatment care and support. UNAIDS was also requested to present an assessment on these processes to the General Assembly meeting to review progress on the Declaration of Commitment on HIV and AIDS to be held in May 2006.

The Global Steering Committee will also assist countries to develop their own roadmaps for increasing coverage of comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS by 2010.

Some of the obstacles that will be discussed by the Committee at this two-day meeting include:
* Adequate and sustainable financing for scaled up AIDS responses
* Human resource capacity and other health systems constraints
* Affordable commodities and low-cost technologies
* And human rights, stigma, discrimination and gender equity.

"It is significant that South Africa has been invited to participate in this process which is critical in shaping the global response to HIV and AIDS over the next five years and beyond. We have to ensure that the world responds in a comprehensive manner, emphasising the centrality of prevention and equitable access to quality treatment, care and support," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.

Enquiries:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161

Issued by: Department of Health
09 January 2006