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On April 26th, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced the formation of a Massachusetts - South Africa Health Task Force, under auspices of the 1997 Sister State-Province Agreement signed with the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. That agreement committed the two regions to building relationships that increase the exchange of information in the areas of economic development, technology, tourism promotion, education, and health care. As part of this on-going exchange of information, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has taken the important step of establishing an official oversight body. Founding members of the Task Force include individuals with backgrounds in health care, education, community development, philanthropy, and trade and industry.
The Task Force will be responsible for identifying strategic partnership opportunities between Massachusetts and the Eastern Cape. Given the enormous challenges South Africa faces in relation to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the Task Force will initially pay particular attention to this area.
At the official launch of the Massachusetts - South Africa Health Task Force held at the State House on April 26th (the sixth anniversary of South Africa's first democratic election), Commissioner Koh was joined by Ambassador Sheila Sisulu, South African Ambassador to the United States, who gave the Embassy's wholehearted support to the effort. Also speaking, were Task Force members State Senator Henri Rauschenbach, State Representative Byron Rushing, and Marti Wilson-Taylor, Chair of the South Africa Partners Board.
Speaking of the newly establish Task Force, Commissioner Koh said, "Massachusetts, with its extensive behavioral, clinical, research and policy experience with HIV is particularly well situated to join South African in their struggle against the Aids epidemic and in their efforts to build a healthy new society."
With the support and collaboration of South Africa Partners, the Task Force and invited delegates will travel to the AIDS 2000 Conference being held in Durban, South Africa in July. There, the delegation will participate in the conference and have an opportunity to meet with national South Africa health department officials. Following the conference, delegation members will travel to the Eastern Cape Province where they will meet with senior provincial health department officials and tour provincial health care sites. Working with Eastern Cape provincial officials, a joint work plan to be developed.
Health Task Force Members:
Chair: Howard Koh, MD, MPH, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Felton Earls, MD Professor, Harvard Medical School
Anna Faith Jones, Executive Director, Boston Foundation
Temba Maqubela, Board Member, South Africa Partners
Hon. Henri Rauschenbach, Massachusetts State Senate
Hon. Byron Rushing, Massachusetts State House of Representatives
Susan Saliba, Director, Africa & Middle East, Massachusetts Trade Office
William Walczak, Executive Director, Codman Square Health Center
Marti Wilson-Taylor, President & CEO, YWCA Boston
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