[e-drug] Final news from the Durban conference

E-DRUG: Final news from the Durban conference
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Hi all

Included below are some late breaking news items from the
Conference.

For more news also look at the iclinic site:

http://www.iclinic.co.za/topics/aids/aids.htm

The key quotes are probably those from Prof Jerry Coovadia:
quoted as saying there is "no escape from a compulsion to do
something about mother-to-child transmission".

But also that "I am deeply concerned about the uniformity of the
criticisms that have come from this conference and the
expressions of solidarity with [Justice] Cameron. There is strong
disapproval of government."

and finally that access to drugs was a key issue in this
conference: "We wanted it to be so. Access to drugs is a key
demand."

The conference closed on a typically conciliatory note, with ex-
President Nelson Mandela steering a careful path between the
critical tone of the conference, and the line taken by the SA Gov. In
his inimitable fashion, he provided something for everyone - sound
bites that both sides could applaud. But he did call for action, and
action NOW! What action ... he'd leave that for those responsible
to decide upon. But for those who chose to interpret his words that
way, he leaned some way towards accepting the evidence
presented, at least as far as MTCT was concerned.

regards
Andy