SADC official urges member states to fulfill their commitments to fight HIV/AIDS

South African Development Community member states should remain vigilant in their efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary Joao Caholo said Wednesday during a meeting of health ministers in Lusaka, Zambia, the African Press Agency reports.

Caholo said that SADC members "have no excuse for failure as a region" on HIV/AIDS following the creation of a fund to address the epidemic. He added, "Our leaders have provided us with all we need to overcome the challenge of HIV/AIDS." Caholo also called on the international community to contribute to the fund, according to the Press Agency.

Zambian Health Minister Brian Chituwo, who also serves as chair of the SADC health ministers, urged member states to develop a regional strategy to address the shortage of health workers. Chituwo noted that Southern Africa has suffered most from a lack of health care professionals. The ministers plan to assess progress achieved in the implementation of SADC health programs and approve policy guidelines (African Press Agency, 4/23).