E-DRUG: Thabo Mbeki on SA AIDS debate
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[copied from DRUGINFO, the South African "E-drug" with thanks;
Washington Post article copied as fair use. WB]
Hi all
In recent postings to this list [DRUGINFO] I have referred to the perception many
share that the current HIV/AIDS causality debate is diverting our
attention (and limited resources) from the real issue - a cogent
response to a seemingly impossible challenge. The Star
newspaper yesterday carried an article by Dr Zweli Mkhize
(KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health) which clearly argued that the issue
is not causality but the affordability of drugs. It seems however,
that the international panel will be convened. How do we deal with
that reality, while remaining focused on the policy ideal - getting a
cogent plan of action decided by government? After all, the
National DoH's "Health Sector Strategic Framework 1999-2004",
states (section 3.7.3 Decreasing the incidence of HIV/AIDS, STDs
and TB) states that one of the "key objectives of our HIV/AIDS
Campaign" is
"d) Provide affordable packages of care for those infected or
affected".
If the panel is convened quickly [6-7 May], is recognised as authoritative,
acts within a short time frame and at minimal cost, and makes a
confident series of recommendations to the President, then will
that help the formulation of good policy? It might.
Below (thanks to Toby and the TAC list) are a Washington Post
article that clearly outlines the issues (from an American
perspective, but with very good analysis of the various elements),
and the text of President Mbeki's letter to various heads of state
(which he signalled in the Carte Blanche interview). While the
copyright of the WP is recognised, these texts are distributed
under the doctrine of "fair use".
regards
Andy
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For some links to good sites on this topic, see:
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38891-2000Apr18.html