Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
BBC News - December 1, 2008
Barbara Hogan cited the case of an eight-year-old boy battling Aids-related TB and meningitis who died while on a waiting list for drugs.
She said the government should have done more to save Thando's life.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Johannesburg says it is a long way from Thabo Mbeki's time as president.
A recent medical study blamed him for the death of 330,000 people, after he questioned whether expensive anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs actually worked.
At the same time, his Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was dubbed "Dr Beetroot" for proposing lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and beetroot over ARVs.
Break from the past
"We could have given his mother, and Thando, a chance to live healthier lives with the love of his grandmother. We could have given nurses and doctors a chance to save his life," Ms Hogan said before a gathering of political leaders and hundreds of Aids activists in Durban.
"Therefore as government now we pledge to urgently scale up the mother-to-child HIV prevention programmes."
Having acknowledged the failures of the past, Ms Hogan promised to reach out to the tens of thousands of people who are still not receiving much-needed drugs.
About 1,000 South Africans die each day of the disease and complications like tuberculosis.
Even more become infected because prevention messages have not worked.
A recent Harvard medical study says government delays in introducing Aids drugs between 2000 and 2005 cost more than 330,000 lives in South Africa.
The study says an additional 35,000 babies were born with HIV during the same period because authorities were reluctant to roll out mother-to-child prevention programs.
The government's tone has changed dramatically since Mr Mbeki was ousted by the ruling African National Congress in September.
Ms Hogan's appointment has been praised by activists as she has sought to turn around the country's policies.
Some 33 million people around the world are now living with HIV, and an estimated 2.7 million more become infected each year.
081201
BB081206
Copyright © 2008 - 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 2008. 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, 2008. 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.
.