Tshabalala-Msimang’€™s spokesperson Sibane Mngadi said her condition was improving steadily.

The minister was admitted to the public hospital last week with what specialists have described as anaemia and pleural effusion (see definitions below).

This follows her admission to the same hospital in October last year for pneumonia.

“In consideration of the fact that the minister of health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, is recuperating from illness, the president has appointed the minister of transport, Jeff Radebe, as acting minister of health with effect from today (Monday),” spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga said.

Ratshitanga said on behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, President Thabo Mbeki wished Tshabalala-Msimang a speedy recovery.

The health department requested an appointment of an acting minister while Tshabalala-Msimang is in hospital.

In another development the National Association of People living With HIV and Aids (Napwa) is to hold prayer meetings in all provinces on Wednesday morning in support of Tshabalala-Msimang.

The main meeting will be in Germiston, Napwa national director Nkululeko Nxesi told Sapa on Monday.

Nxesi said that Tshabalala-Msimang’s role and leadership guidance was “more needed now than ever before”.

“As the country is currently finalising the new national country strategic plan and the revival of the South African National Aids Council, her inputs and leadership are crucial.”

* Anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or amount of hemoglobin (the protein that carries oxygen in the blood) in them is below normal. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, an inability to exercise and light headedness. If the anaemia becomes more severe it can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural space. The pleura is a thin, transparent membrane that covers the lungs and also lines the inside of the chest wall. The surface that covers the lungs lies in close contact with the surface that lines the chest wall. Between the two thin flexible surfaces is a small amount of fluid that lubricates them as they slide smoothly over one another with each breath.

Air, blood, fluid, or other material can get between the pleural surfaces, creating a space. If too much material accumulates, one or both lungs may not be able to expand normally with breathing resulting in the collapse of a lung.