Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Reuters NewMedia - October 2, 2008
Rebecca Harrison
Hogan replaced Manto Tshabalala-Msimang who was removed from her post when President Kgalema Motlanthe formed a new cabinet last month after Thabo Mbeki resigned as head of state.
Although the country faces one of the world's heaviest HIV caseloads, AIDS activists accuse the government of dragging its feet while the disease ravages millions of South Africans.
Attitudes and awareness about HIV and AIDS had improved but "persistent and consistent work and political leadership" was needed to get the message across, Hogan told a news conference.
South Africa has one of the world's highest incidences of HIV, with an estimated 500,000 people infected each year. About 1,000 die every day from AIDS-related illnesses.
Hogan, who was welcomed by AIDS activists after her appointment, said she would push to get anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to as many people as possible.
Saying she would avoid "cheap solutions" and "political games", Hogan described AIDS as one of the most serious health issues facing South Africa.
Dubbed Dr Beetroot for her promotion of beetroot, garlic and other foods as frontline treatments for HIV/AIDS, Tshabalala-Msimang was accused of being in denial about the disease by scientists and grassroots activists.
Mbeki drew sharp criticism shortly after coming to power in 1999 when he questioned accepted AIDS science and failed to make life-saving anti-retroviral drugs widely available.
Asked whether she was concerned her lack of experience in health care could hurt her performance in the job, Hogan said perhaps "I will be more respectful of professional opinion."
(Editing by Charles Dick)
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