HIV/AIDS: South Africa's New Plan Excludes Anti-Retrovirals
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Source: http://www.unfoundation.org/unwire/unwire.cfm#3
South Africa yesterday released AIDS treatment guidelines that recog-
nize the link between HIV and AIDS but provide no plans to import,
produce or give pregnant women anti-retroviral drugs.
The new guidelines are laid out in nine booklets that will be dis-
tributed to health workers nationwide. One fact book clarifies the
government's position on the disease's cause, which President Thabo
Mbeki has said may not be HIV. "HIV is the beginning of infection,"
the fact book says. "When the immune system becomes very affected,
the illness progresses to AIDS."
Despite this admission, activists are criticizing the government for
failing to support anti-retroviral drug use to halt mother-to-child
transmission of HIV. Instead, they recommend vitamin supplements,
treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and vaginal cleansing dur-
ing childbirth to reduce transmission (Associated Press/CNN.com, 25
Oct).
World Health Organization figures suggest anti-retroviral drugs can
reduce mother-to-child infection by up to 67% (Tim Butcher, London
Telegraph, 25 Oct).
"Does this mean that the government is absolutely refusing to con-
sider these options?" asked Morna Cornell, director of the AIDS Con-
sortium.
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang defended the guidelines.
Though anti-retrovirals are not the only way to prevent mother-to-
child transmission, the government has not ruled out providing them
in the future, Tshabalala-Msimang said. AZT is too expensive to of-
fer, but South Africa will decide whether to use the cheaper drug
Nevirapine after nationwide tests are completed, she said
(AP/CNN.com).
To help South Africa deal with the high cost of AIDS treatment drugs,
Tshabalala-Msimang called for a cancellation of South Africa's debt
and international assistance in constructing laboratories to develop
anti-retroviral drugs (Alex Duval Smith, London Independent, 25 Oct).
AIDS activists also criticized the guidelines for treating HIV/AIDS
as any other health issue rather than as a national health priority.
"The government does not recognize that the key to effective preven-
tion is effective treatment," said activist Mark Heywood. "Very few
people are taking HIV tests because they feel there is no use as
nothing can be done to treat them" (Johannesburg Mail & Guardian, 25
Oct).
The guidelines follow the government's inauguration of a US$ 275,000
advertising campaign to clarify that abstinence, monogamy and condom
use are important means of fighting HIV infection (UN Wire, 24 Oct).
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