§ Ms Glenda JacksonTo ask the Secretary of state for International Development what(a) financial, (b) practical 277W and (c) medical assistance she has given to the South African Government in relation to AIDS, since May 1997. [147882]
§ Mr. MullinSince May 1997 the Department for International Development has committed approximately £11 million in support of initiatives to help the South African Government in their efforts to manage the HIV epidemic.
Practical support with this funding has included condom procurement and supply, assistance to the 1National AIDS/STD Control Programme, and National TB Control Programme and initiatives to provide improved sexual health services particularly among adolescents and mineworkers.
Direct medical assistance has been limited as South Africa has, in general, the necessary skills to tackle the epidemic. However support to the National AIDS/STD Control Programme includes technical assistance from a specialist in genito-urinary medicine.