South African Health Minister Says Government HIV/AIDS Prevention Efforts ‘Paying Off’
South African Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on Saturday said that the government's efforts to prevent new HIV infections are "paying off," as the HIV infection rate in the country has "continued to level off," the South African Press Association reports. Speaking on National Women's Day at a meeting of Women in Partnership Against AIDS, Tshabalala-Msimang said that gender and financial inequalities in the fight against HIV/AIDS still need to be addressed, and that South African women need to be aware of the available health services. She added that the government was "intensifying its efforts" to ensure that all women have "adequate" information about HIV/AIDS. Tshabalala-Msimang called upon the women at the meeting and other HIV/AIDS organizations to "mobiliz[e]" South African women to join together to fight HIV/AIDS. "Like the women of 1956 who rose up against the oppressive laws of apartheid, the future generations will remember you for the important role you are playing in the fight against HIV and AIDS," Tshabalala-Msimang said (South African Press Association, 8/10).
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