International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

The new South African health minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced a number of key priorities for his period in office.

Launching a new five-point plan in Pretoria, he said it was necessary to strengthen the overall quality of care in the health service, reports AllAfrica.com.

One of the new initiatives set to be launched is a prevention of mother-to-child (HIV) transmission acceleration plan, which Dr Motsoaledi said will come into existence within two weeks.

He commented: "This will help us to achieve the health Millennium Development Goals, which include maternal mortality, infant mortality and the issue of HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis, amongst others."

The health minister is also aiming to curb the rise of federalism within the South African health system, eliminate departmental over-spending and assess the nation's policy on doctors' remuneration.

Earlier this month, HIV and Aids charity Avert claimed that women in the developing world are especially vulnerable to HIV infection.