Mr Speaker, on Monday, 22 February 2010, the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, officially opened a new, state-of-the-art medical training centre which will ensure the safe supply of blood and blood products to patients.
The ANC views blood safety in this country as an important component of the fight against HIV/Aids. Blood collection, banking and transfusion medicines are an essential part of any modern care system that can help to save millions of lives each year.
The ANC government therefore fully supports this initiative. Moreover, it views education and training as fundamental to every aspect of blood safety and the successful utilisation of blood and blood products to save lives. This initiative demonstrates the ANC's commitment to the improvement of standards in both the public and private health sectors. I thank you. [Applause.]