In a welcome development South Africa's new health minister vowed Thursday to "get things right" in providing AIDS treatments.
"You do not need to be a health expert to understand the challenge this country is facing when it comes to AIDS pandemic," the new minister Barbara Hogan told reporters, becoming visibly emotional as she spoke.
AIDS/HIV - Epidemiology
AIDS or HIV is an epidemic disease, a potentially deadly infection that can be prevented with precautions. AIDS/HIV symptoms manifest long after the actual infection occurs.
Advertisement
"It is critically important that those who need treatment are able to get it," said Hogan. "I am passionate about getting things right."
Hogan was sworn in a week ago to replace the controversial former health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who drew global criticism for championing garlic and beetroot to combat AIDS.
![Female Condom - Animation]( "Female Condom - Animation")
She was removed in a cabinet reshuffle last week following the axing of former president Thabo Mbeki, in a move hailed by AIDS activists.
Hogan, a political activist who served time in prison during apartheid, said she hoped to make a considerable contribution to South African health care before elections expected in about six months.
"The public expects our health services to be caring, compassionate and passionate," she said.
"We will as a matter of urgency, examine all the gaps in delivery, ranging from co-ordination between the different levels of government to improving management systems," she said.
South Africa has the world's highest rate of HIV with some 5.5 million of the 47 million population infected by the virus.
Source: AFP
RAS/SK
Advertisement
She was removed in a cabinet reshuffle last week following the axing of former president Thabo Mbeki, in a move hailed by AIDS activists.
Hogan, a political activist who served time in prison during apartheid, said she hoped to make a considerable contribution to South African health care before elections expected in about six months.
"The public expects our health services to be caring, compassionate and passionate," she said.
"We will as a matter of urgency, examine all the gaps in delivery, ranging from co-ordination between the different levels of government to improving management systems," she said.
South Africa has the world's highest rate of HIV with some 5.5 million of the 47 million population infected by the virus.
Source: AFP
RAS/SK
How to use a condom - Animation
This Interactive provides step by step visual aid showing how to correctly use condoms which can prevent transmission of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest General Health News
Seeking internet help for an incomplete antibiotic course resulted in kidney stone formation and urinary tract infection in a young woman.
The Brain Care Score is a tool to evaluate brain health and reduce the risk of brain disorders including dementia and stroke.
Swine influenza A viruses, including subtypes H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2, are prominent among pigs and sporadically transmit to humans.
The microorganism "is a newly identified potential disease-causing agent, possibly originating from or evolving within the dog's microbiome."
Flavanol naturally present in red wine can compromise the proper metabolism of alcohol and lead to a headache.