BuaNews (Tshwane)
Gabi Khumalo
20 November 2008
Cape Town — Government, in partnership with the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC), has called on South Africans to participate in activities aimed at raising awareness about HIV and AIDS.
On 1 December, government, organisations and civil society will come together to celebrate World AIDS Day.
Briefing media following Cabinet's regular meeting, Government Spokesperson Themba Maseko said HIV, AIDS and Tuberculosis remained national priorities requiring urgent action by all sectors of society.
Mr Maseko said government programmes were already in full swing to implement the National Strategic Plan (NSP).
The NSP includes measures to ensure that all mothers with HIV remain healthy; all babies are born free of HIV and increasing access to anti retrovirals and promoting healthy lifestyles through reducing sexual partners and using condoms among others.
"HIV, AIDS and TB have impacted negatively on communities especially the poor. Through strengthening our partnership under the leadership of SANAC, we can ensure that our health system works better in responding to all illnesses caused by the three diseases," said Mr Maseko.
World AIDS Day has been held every year since 1988 when health ministers from around the world agreed to dedicate a day in the year to come together to highlight the importance of tackling AIDS and to show solidarity for the cause.
There are many events and campaigns connected to World AIDS Day which will mark its 20th anniversary this year.
The national event will be held at the Sahara Stadium in Durban where the Deputy President Baleka Mbete will give a keynote address, events will also be held in other provinces to observe the day.
The 2008 World Aids Day theme is "Stop Aids: Leadership and Unity". -
Health Indaba to come up with National Quality Assurance
By Gabi Khumalo
Johannesburg - Plans to improve the quality of services in the public health care sector will be outlined by the Department of Health at a National Health Indaba on Friday.
The National Health Indaba, to take place on Friday at the Birchwood Conference, will see Health Minister Barbara Hogan and her Deputy Dr Molefi Sefularo announce plans to improve the health sector as well as the departments' services for those with HIV and AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB).
Improving the quality of care offered at state hospitals will be one of government's top priorities over the coming period.
The indaba is expected to be attended by about 140 partners in the field of improving quality in healthcare together with 80 national and provincial managers.
Among the many stakeholders expected to participate in the Indaba are Health MECs, representatives from the World Health Organisation, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Health Professions Council of South Africa and academics.
"I remain confident that with all of this work we are doing and the support from the many stakeholders we will see some improvement in the delivery of quality healthcare in our country," Ms Hogan said.
Outlining her priorities during a media briefing early last month, Ms Hogan said improving the quality of health care services and tackling TB, HIV and AIDS would be given more prominence, adding that these issues were the biggest challenges facing the department. She said while there were many programmes and projects within the current health system, there were undoubtedly challenges facing the country's healthcare sector. Ms Hogan said the department would examine all the gaps in delivery, ranging from coordination between the different levels of government to improving management systems, procurement, filling vacant positions and attracting talented South Africans back into the public service. "We intend inspiring our staff especially the heroes of the system who care for our people and want those in the frontline to be able to rely on our commitment to ensure that they can do their jobs better," Minister Hogan said. She also said the department would continue working closely with provincial health MECs to ensure the improvements and acceleration of service delivery.
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