The Department of Health is still key in the deliberations and implementation of all programmes related to HIV/Aids, the Presidency said in a statement on Monday.
”Government wishes to clearly state that the work of the Ministry and the Department of Health has not been altered or taken over,” said spokesperson Thabang Chiloane.
He said the intensity of the anti-HIV/Aids work needs to be increased and sharpened to ensure that ”the ultimate loser in this battle” is the disease.
”The Presidency has been encouraged by the cooperation received from all stakeholders in the fight against HIV/Aids. This partnership has been moulded and driven by the Department of Health and other social cluster departments.”
Chiloane urged South Africans to support the programme in order for the nation to achieve unity in saving more lives.
”South Africa needs to strengthen partnerships among government, business [and] the civil society in fighting the scourge of HIV and Aids.”
The statement came amid weekend reports that Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge had begun steering the HIV/Aids programme in a new direction since Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang fell ill last month.
Also, Aids lobbying bodies said there had been a noticeable shift in the government’s attitude in the minister’s absence.
But Mlambo-Ngcuka disputed these observations on Sunday, saying she was only doing her work.
”I’m doing my work as deputy president of the country, coordinating partnerships with all people working in this area, because we believe this great work can be done together,” she said.
”The minister of health is sick and the deputy minister continues to do the work that all deputy ministers do, and I don’t think you should try and make this so dramatic.” — Sapa