US threat to punish Zimbabwe repression (2)
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> I hope that Zimbabwe realises that the international public can
> remain dead quiet on AIDS drugs issues because they are
> afraid of speaking up, but will find millions of words to argue
> about free press and the safety of high court judges.
In Zimbabwe one can freely talk about HIV/AIDS drugs issues but there
is a general fear to lift one's voice against the government for fear
of state-sponsored victimisation. I am not wishing to enter a politi-
cal discussion on the matter (perhaps because of the latter?), but as
a health worker in Zimbabwe I am more worried about the descent into
anarchy and poverty as barriers to good health than about getting
HIV/AIDS drugs - even if they were given to us free today for use in
the public sector we wouldn't be able to distribute them, cannot pro-
vide adequate HIV testing facilities to identify who needs them,
would not be able to monitor their use or adverse effects, do not
have adequately trained prescribers, etc. i.e. the infrastructure is
just not there and what is there is deteriorating. If poverty and in-
justice are not addressed, no major strides will be taken against
HIV/AIDS or other common diseases in Zimbabwe or similar countries.
Regards,
Douglas Ball
Drug & Toxicology Information Service
Dept. of Pharmacy
University of Zimbabwe
PO Box A 178, Avondale
Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263-4-790-233
Fax: +263-4-795-019
mailto:dball@healthnet.zw
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