Government decision-makers are to be included on the South African National Aids Council (Sanac), it was announced on Wednesday.
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka briefed Cabinet on Wednesday on progress the recently established inter-ministerial committee (IMC) was making in resuscitating Sanac and managing government interaction with the various stakeholders to strengthen the partnership against HIV/Aids.
”The need to raise the level of participants in Sanac to include decision-makers was endorsed,” government communications head Themba Maseko told a media briefing after the fortnightly meeting at Tuynhuys.
”Government will ensure that it is represented by ministers, deputy ministers and directors general,” he said.
An appeal would be made to all stakeholders to ensure they nominated decision-makers to participate in Sanac meetings.
This would ensure that all stakeholders became actively involved in the fight against the pandemic.
Cabinet also endorsed interaction with stakeholders, such as the Treatment Action Campaign and the National Association of People living With HIV/Aids, Maseko said.
Two weeks ago, Cabinet announced steps to drive the comprehensive plan to fight HIV/Aids.
Mlambo-Ngcuka — as chair of Sanac — was mandated to take concrete steps to strengthen the council.
At the same time, the IMC was established to strengthen the implementation of the HIV/Aids programme. — Sapa