Issued by: Parliament of the Republic of South Africa
Following its meeting with the National Aids Convention of Southern Africa (NACOSA) on 03 September 1996, the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Health resolves as follows:
"That the HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to constitute a grave threat to the social and economic fabric of South African society; that the personal commitment of the Minister of Health to fighting the disease and the inclusive and consultative approach of the Department of Health are strongly supported; and that the National AIDS Strategy should serve as the framework for measures to combat HIV/AIDS;
"The Committee notes and endorses serious concerns at the rate of progress being made by the Department of Health's HIV/AIDS and STD Programme and the standing of that unit within the Department as a whole;
"The Committee shares NACOSA's anxiety at the absence of a high level inter-departmental approach within government and endorses the call for a National Aids Steering Committee;
"Nothing the alarming rise in levels of HIV sero-prevalence across South Africa, continued abuse of the human rights of people living with AIDS, inadequate public awareness of HIV prevention strategies and the need for effective and coordinated care services, the Committee calls on all government departments and legislative bodies, at national, provincial and local level, to make clear their commitment to addressing these issues, starting with a ban on
Signed by: Signed by: DR ABE NKOMO MP DR E.E. JASSAT MP CHAIRPERSON COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE Portfolio Committee on Health NACOSA
4 September 1996