27 May 2002
The South African Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala Msimang, is expected to be in Luanda, Angola today (27 May 2002) for a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Minister Tshabalala-Msimang who leads a delegation of senior officials from the Department of Health, will meet with her Angolan counterpart, Health Minister Albertina Hamukwaia.
At the meeting the Ministers are expected to discuss issues of bilateral interest such as human resource development which will cover exchange programme for health professionals between the two countries and SA's possible provision of undergraduate and postgraduate training to Angolan students.
Telemedicine, hospital services and patient referral system between the two countries are also going to be discussed. The two Ministers are also going to explore the possibility of mutual assistance in the control of communicable diseases including HIV and AIDS, TB, Malaria and other epidemic diseases.
The two delegations will also exchange information on actions for the eradication of poliomyelitis in Angola with the aim of ensuring that the Southern African Development Community is declared polio free by the year 2005.
"I am glad that we are visiting Angola at a time when the Government and people of Angola are making every effort to secure an everlasting peace in that wonderful country. We hope that our cooperation as the health sector will contribute in reversing the impact of war in the provision of social services in Angola and improve the health of our both nations," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
The Ministers are expected to sign a Declaration of Intent that will specify the areas of cooperation as discussed during this visit.
Issued by the Ministry of Health