The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the announcement that the Director-General of Health Mr Thami Mseleku's contract with the Department will not be renewed. However, we wonder why Mr. Mseleku was not replaced when his former boss and AIDS denialist Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was removed.

Mr. Mseleku is the last remaining hangover of the era of denial which not only led to the certain deaths of tens of thousands of South Africans, but also severely damaged our image internationally.

It was also under Mr. Mseleku's term that Matthias Rath was allowed to operate in breach of legislation, posing as a medical doctor and conducting clinical trials without having approval to do so.

We hope that genuine winds of change are sweeping through this department in respect of a new commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS based on sound proven science, and that Mr. Mseleku's departure is a sign of that.

In addition the overall quality of health care has deteriorated during Mr. Mseleku tenure as doctors and nurses leave in droves, and hospitals continuously run out of basic equipment and medication -- culminating in the recent doctors' strike.

The DA reiterates its commitment to working with the Department in improving the quality of health care to all South Africans.

Statement issued by Mike Waters, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of health, September 18 2009

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter