LUSAKA, April 24 (Reuters) - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa sacked Health Minister Angela Cifire in a cabinet reshuffle after she had served only seven months in the post, state media reported on Tuesday.

"President Mwanawasa has dropped minister of health Angela Cifire and promoted two deputy ministers to full cabinet portfolios in a cabinet reshuffle," said the state-owned Zambia Daily Mail.

No reasons were given for Cifire's firing.

Cifire, who had prioritised the fight against AIDS during her short tenure, is the third minister to be sacked by Mwanawasa since he won his second and final five-year term in office at last year's presidential election.

Mwanawasa appointed former health minister Brian Chituwo, who had been minister of science and technology, to the health ministry. He also promoted two junior ministers to full cabinet positions and shuffled five other ministers.

An estimated one in five of Zambia's 11.5 million people is either HIV positive or has AIDS.

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