Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - September 11, 2007
Some 1,000 people are currently being infected each day. The other target is to treat 80% of those in need.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngquka gave her upbeat assessment despite recent controversies at the health ministry.
South Africa has more HIV infections than any other country - 5.5 million - but has recently started to improve access to anti-Aids drugs.
"We are on track," said Mrs Mlambo-Ngquka at the first meeting of South Africa's National Aids Council since it launched its five-year plan in May.
'Momentum'
Mark Heywood from Aids lobby group Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) agreed that progress was being made.
"There is momentum... there is a very serious consideration of some of the different questions around strategy, around treatment protocols, about how to expand access, how to create a culture of knowing your HIV status," he said.
The plan was launched while controversial Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was recovering from health problems.
The minister is known as "Dr Beetroot" because of her emphasis on the importance of nutrition in the fight against Aids, while she under-plays the role of anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs).
Last month, the deputy minister was sacked following a series of disagreements with Ms Tshabalala-Msimang, who is now back at work.
The official reason was because she went on an unauthorised trip to an Aids conference in Spain.
After being accused of being too slow to roll out ARVs, the government changed its approach and about 280,000 people were on ARV treatment at the end of March this year.
However, that is still well short of the estimated 800,000 who are thought to need ARVs in South Africa.
070911
BB070904
Copyright © 2007 - BBC. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BBC.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.