[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

12 November 2008

Diseases, nutrition and 'brain drain' will all come under the spotlight as Health Minister Barbara Hogan chairs the Southern Africa Development Community health ministers meeting (SADC) from 15 to 16 November 2008 in Durban, South Africa.

"It is crucial that as region (SADC) we have regular meetings to discuss health issues that affect the people in our region. Health and its delivery is a complex issue that needs as much collaboration and co-operation as possible," says Hogan as she prepares for this two-day meeting to be preceded by the SADC Malaria Day on Friday morning in Jozini, Northern KwaZulu-Natal to be attended by the SADC health ministers.

In its agenda, the two-day meeting is expected to make decisions amongst others on issues Malaria (which continues to be a challenge in the region), tuberculosis (TB), nutrition, male circumcision and human resources in the region.

At their meeting in April this year in Lusaka, the SADC health ministers took a decision to meet at least twice a year as part of their efforts to respond to the health and skills challenges prevailing in the region.

"We have a responsibility to work as hard as we can to respond to the huge tasks facing us. The spread of diseases and skills shortages continue to impact on our ability as countries and the region to deliver healthcare to our people", said Hogan.

Members of the media will be notified of the press conference scheduled to be held at the end of the meeting on Sunday after at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre, Durban to be addressed by the Minister and the SADC Secretariat.

For more information please contact:
Fidel Hadebe
Tel: 012 312 0663
Cell: 079 517 3333

Issued by: Department of Health
12 November 2008