Issued by: Department Of Health
Health Minister, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang held a groundbreaking meeting with Dr William Rutter, the executive director of Chiron - a US based pharmaceutical company in Pretoria on 08 July 1999.
Dr Rutter, an accomplished scientist in the field of biochemistry, recombinant DNA technology, genetic engineering and vaccinology proposed to work with the South African HIV vaccine Initiative in the development of the vaccine.
He further expressed interest in local vaccine production and in teaming-up with the South African Blood Transfusion Services to evaluate diagnostic tests for detecting the HIV in donated blood. The Minister promised to discuss Dr Rutter's proposal with scientist working in this area and her colleagues in Cabinet, particularly, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on AIDS, before deciding on those issues.
The meeting was one in a series of engagements that Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has initiated to help her understand the intricacies in the area of HIV/AIDS.
Date: 13 July 1999
Contact: Khangelani Hlongwane
Phone: 012 312 0560 - 082 557 0978
Fax: 012 325 7813/4