Even the Timid Get Axed in South African Health Shake-Up

Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is definitely consolidating her hold on the South African Ministry of Health. Not only has her outspoken deputy minister been fired, but her most senior AIDS expert, Dr. Nomonde Xundu, has reportedly tendered her resignation.

Dr. Xundu never contradicted her boss in public and faithfully used the government-approved terminology of "HIV and AIDS," which sees HIV infection and AIDS as two separate conditions rather than a continuum of illness. But Xundu clearly accepted that HIV causes AIDS and that anti-retroviral treatments are necessary to save lives. A report on news24.com says Xundu is trying to negotiate an extension of her contract.

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