Country commended for HIV/AIDS commitment

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has commended South Africa for tripling its resource allocation for national HIV/AIDS programmes. During a speech to the recent UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS in New York, Annan said since the UN's declaration of commitment in 2001, most countries had increased their own financial commitment to HIV/AIDS. Annan said: "This year the government of South Africa tripled its investment in HIV/AIDS programmes to US $89 million, with spending projected to reach nearly double that level in 2004." Speaking on behalf of South Africa, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said the commitment was an indication of the country's strong political leadership in tackling HIV/AIDS. "Our cabinet is keeping its political commitment to allocate the necessary resources to fight HIV infection, AIDS, TB and other sexually transmitted infections," Tshabalala-Msimang confirmed.