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Statement by the Deputy Minister of Health, Mrs Nozizwe 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)