S. Africa Ex Health Minister Dies

South African ex-Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, criticised for questioning whether HIV causes Aids, has died aged 69 from liver disease.

Her critics dubbed her 'Dr Beetroot' for her advocacy of healthy eating rather than drugs to fight HIV. As health minister between 1999 and 2008, she maintained that anti-retroviral drugs were too expensive and had possible harmful side-effects.

She was removed from the post when ex-President Thabo Mbeki stepped down. But a study last year claimed that more than 300,000 people had died prematurely because of the delay in rolling out the drugs to people with HIV between 2000 and 2005.

Some 5.2 million South Africans have HIV - the highest number of people living with the virus in one country in the world.

Dr Tshabalala-Msimang remained popular among many South Africans for her liberation credentials.

She was a member of the African National Congress (ANC) during its days of struggle in exile against the apartheid government.

Dr Tshabalala-Msimang recommended olive oil, lemon, beetroot and the African potato as elements of a healthy diet that could treat the symptoms associated with Aids.

Her doctor told the South African Press Association that she had died from complications related to her liver transplant in 2007.

The Treatment Action Campaign, which took Dr Tshabalala-Msimang to court to force the government to provide more anti-retroviral drugs, which reduce the effects of Aids, sent its condolences to her family and children.

'We don't wish ill on any human being even though we had a very difficult time with her as minister of health,' said TAC General Secretary Vuyiseka Dubula.

Earlier this month, current President Jacob Zuma announced an overhaul of the government's HIV policy.

He said drugs would be available more widely to children and pregnant women instead of just those whose immunity levels have been significantly reduced by HIV, as has recently been the case.