President Thabo Mbeki has a personal prerogative on whether to take a public HIV test, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said in Pretoria on Tuesday. An individual’s state of health — including that of the president — was highly sensitive and a private matter, she told a select group of journalists.
Tshabala-Msimang pledged to step up efforts to make health services more affordable and accessible in announcing on Tuesday that she had resumed her official duties.
Tshabalala-Msimang said she had restarted her duties in the government and within the African National Congress, following her admission to the Johannesburg hospital in October last year, subsequent sick leave, and the December holidays, which ”made it look like it was a long period”.
”I have already had initial interaction with the management of the department to ensure that we have a common understanding of the key issues we need to focus on this year,” she said.
”We will be able to elaborate on these priority areas after the State of the Nation Address by our President [Thabo Mbeki at the opening of Parliament on February 9].
”For now it is clear that we have to intensify our efforts to make health more affordable and accessible to all.”
In particular, a way had to be found to resolve the challenge of reducing the prices of medicines.
Another major priority area was strengthening the health system, which was central to addressing the many health problems and enabling the department to effectively deal with the pressures of the disease burden confronting the people of South Africa.
Of critical importance in this regard, was the issue of human resources for health.
”We are encouraged by reports that many nurses that left the country to look for greener pastures are coming back into the country.”
Tshabalala-Msimang said she was looking forward to participating in finalising the restructuring of the South African National Aids Council (Sanac) and the review of the HIV/Aids strategic plan.
”I believe that partnership with all stakeholders is crucial in the success of these processes and in our overall efforts to stop the spread of HIV infection and reduce the impact of Aids in our society,” she said. – Sapa