SA, Uganda in health deal
2004-01-27 20:25
Pretoria - The memorandum of understanding on health issues that was signed between South Africa and Uganda on Tuesday would enhance clinical and technical skills, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said.
The agreement would also explore best practices in health care delivery in both countries.
Speaking at the signing ceremony she said the agreement would emphasise co-operation in the areas of epidemiological surveillance, vaccine development, mother to child transmission of HIV/Aids, human resource development, drug procurement, regulation of traditional medical practitioners and the promotion of private/public mix in health services.
"Our countries play critical leadership roles in our respective regions and are thus well placed to promote Nepad (New Partnership for Africa's Development) objectives which include the improvement of health of our people and confronting various diseases including TB, malaria and HIV and Aids," she said.
The minister expressed the hope that the two countries would work with other African countries in the future to enhance research and education capacity.
A declaration of intent between South Africa and Uganda was signed in August 1999. At the same event the countries' health ministries also signed a declaration of intent.
According to Tuesday's memorandum of understanding the two countries would exchange health professionals for purposes of sharing new techniques and technologies.
Information on health issues would be exchanged and partnerships between health institutions and organisations would be created.
Biomedical and health system research would be done, patients referred from Uganda would be treated in South African public hospitals. The costs of these patients' treatment and travel expenses of these patients would be paid by the Ugandan government and both countries would agree on the number of patients to be sent for treatment.
"... this agreement formalises co-operation that already exists between our two departments and indeed our two countries.
"We believe that with the signing of this agreement, our co-operation will grow from strength to strength."
- SAPA