Speech by the Minister of Health Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at the Candlelight Memorial event, Parliament, Cape Town

Deputy Speaker of Parliament
Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces
Members of Parliament
Ladies and Gentlemen
All protocol observed

Let me first mention that it is nice to be back in Parliament after being away for a while. As advised by my doctor, I am currently easing back into work. I would like to use this opportunity to express my appreciation to all of you, the people of South Africa and abroad for your support.

My sincere gratitude goes particularly to the health workers at the Donald Gordon Medical Centre and Johannesburg General Hospital. I am really proud of them.

Programme Director, we are here today to remember and honour our loved ones lost to AIDS related conditions. We are also here to demonstrate our support for those who are living with HIV and AIDS.

The theme for this year is: "Leading the way to a world without AIDS."

The theme calls upon us as a nation to unite in order to stop the spread of HIV infections. It also urges us to provide increased care and support for all individuals and families whose lives have been compromised by HIV and AIDS. These are some of the key goals of our National Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS that was adopted by Cabinet and various sectors of our society represented in the South African National AIDS Council. This Plan is going to be officially launched next month.

I would like to encourage all South Africans to take responsibility for their own health and that of others. Let us protect ourselves and others from HIV infection and re-infection. Prevention is the key to the success of our response to HIV and AIDS.

We need to work together to encourage our people to maintain good health through promotion of healthy lifestyles. We have to discourage risky behaviour such as smoking, irresponsible alcohol use, substance abuse and lack of exercise.

We also have to alert our people to the availability of care, support and treatment interventions. Affected communities have to be aware and must be encouraged to access treatment, care and support services that government has made available free of charge throughout the country.

Most importantly, we have to encourage and assist people who are on HIV or TB treatment to adhere to their treatment. In this way, we can address the challenge of drug resistance to both TB and HIV treatment which remains a major challenge for us and many other countries of the world.

The theme for this commemorative event highlights our quest for a generation that is free of HIV infection. By working together as various partners, we can realise this vision and "Lead the way to a world without AIDS."

Thank you

Issued by: Department of Health
23 May 2007