By Nangamso Mabindla
4 February 2004

PREVENTION remained the primary hope for reversing the impact of HIV/Aids, Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said at a press conference in the East London City Hall yesterday, where she introduced the government's plan for HIV/Aids care, management and treatment.

The Operational Plan for Comprehensive HIV and Aids Care, Management and Treatment for South Africa was approved by Cabinet in November.

"The plan is also known as the Comprehensive Plan because it acknowledges and deals with the challenges in a range of areas," Tshabalala-Msimang said. The plan aims to ensure that there is equitable implementation of antiretroviral treatment - patients should get quality care and a high standard of service in both rural and urban areas. However, the minister said, for the plan to reach its full potential, it needed all the people involved with healthcare to work together.

"We do not need to fight among ourselves when it comes to health issues. We need to work together to transform the country's health system," said Tshabalala-Msimang.

The Comprehensive Plan would deal with issues, including:

• The acknowledgement that prevention remained the primary hope for reversing the impact of HIV and Aids in communities.
• Paying closer attention to the need to enhance and extend the period of healthy living between the infection and the onset of Aids-related illnesses.
• Looking at a systematic approach to positive living, including investigating the question of poverty alleviation and food security that were critical to the ability of any individual to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

Commenting on the plan, Eastern Cape MEC for Health Dr Bevan Goqwana said he was happy people living with HIV/Aids would receive quality care regardless of their background. Goqwana urged people to work with the government "in order for the plan to be a success".

"If we work together, we will fight a good fight against this killer. HIV/Aids patients should be active partners in order for us to successfully combat this disease," Goqwana said.

Turning her attention to the costs of the plan, Minister Tshabalala-Msimang said the annual cost could be R4,5-billion by 2007 and 2008. "Much will depend on the level of uptake and the cost of major components of the programme-such as drugs, various tests and nutritional supplementation."

Over the next four-and-a-half years, said Tshabalala-Msimang, more than R750-million was proposed for upgrading systems in the healthcare infrastructure in areas such as drug distribution, patient information systems and monitoring patient's reaction to the drugs.

The minister reiterated the need for good partnerships for the success of the plan. "We need committed partners who will push ahead no matter the difficulties. We need them to take the long view and not abandon the effort when the going gets tough."