(Adds background on previous firings in final paragraph)

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.

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.

"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.

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.

Mwanawasa fired lands minister Gladys Nyirongo in February amid allegations of corruption against her.

He also dismissed information minister Vernon Mwaanga earlier this month for his handling of claims of graft levelled by Zambia against Moise Katumbi, a regional governor in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

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