GABORONE, July 31 (AFP) - Botswana President Festus Mogae appointed a new health minister Wednesday to replace Joy Phumaphi, who spearheaded the southern African country's aggressive campaign against HIV/AIDS.
Phumaphi, who is joining the UN World Health Organisation (WHO) as assistant director, oversaw the introduction of anti-retroviral medicine to HIV-positive pregnant woman and a home-based care system for sufferers of the disease, which has infected nearly 40 percent of adults in Botswana.
She was popular with the public, often mingling with people dying from AIDS and with overworked doctors treating sick patients. Last week Phumaphi underwent an HIV test in public.
The AIDS crisis has reduced life expectancy in Botswana from 67 in 1998 to around 40.
Mogae also announced that General Moeng Pheto had been appointed to the newly created post of assistant minister for labour and home affairs.
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