Time for change - 29 Sep 2008

Finally, the moment we have all been waiting for has come. Manto didn't jump - she was pushed. The new Minister of Health is Barbara Hogan - and by all accounts she will be the breath of fresh air that the country needs.

Our health services are a mess and in dire and immediate need of complete revitalisation. Hopefully Ms Hogan will do this - as she acknowledges that change is certainly needed. Her approach to HIV and AIDS is a good start as she is well liked and respected among AIDS activists.

But we need more than just a change of approach to HIV. We need someone who will take the reigns again. Unfortunately she has an enormous task ahead of her, made worse by the continuing inroads into our health services by the burden that HIV has placed on them. We wish her luck.