PRESS Release by Dr Ruth Rabinowitz IFP MP
Cape Town February 12, 1999
IFP CALLS ON ZUMA TO PRIORITISE OPENNESS & PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IN FIGHT AGAINST AIDS.
Government should promote an Open Testing week
The Inkhata Freedom Party has launched a campaign to prioritise openness and responsibility in tackling the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In a letter to Health Minister, Dr Zuma, IFP spokespersons on HIV/AIDS, Dr Ruth Rabinowitz MP & Mrs J N Vilakazi MP, say that it is vital for people to know their HIV status if the battle against AIDS is to be joined by all. Their letter calls on the Government to follow up AIDS Condom Week with a national crusade to promote openness and individual responsibility in sexual relationships.
Mrs Vilakazi said:
"People must be prepared to overcome their fears and go in large numbers to be tested. We should now have an Open Testing week"
The figure of 200, 000 new HIV victims since the Government launched its Partnership with Aids programme, and the data that 1 in 3 people in KwaZulu-Natal are infected indicates the scale of the crisis that the country faces. The IFP believes that simply promoting condom use will not tackle the key issues around the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The IFP plan to tackle the AIDS crisis also proposes that all pregnant women should be tested for AIDS and that those who are positive should be treated. Medical research has indicated that the spread of HIV from mother to child is reduced from 25% to 8% where combination therapy is provided. Research partnerships with drug companies would reduce the costs of this programme.
Commenting on the letter to the Health Minister, Dr Rabinowitz says:
"Openness and responsibility must be the watchwords of the war against AIDS. HIV testing must be stepped up and people told their results. The condition must be made notifiable: not on a death certificate but at the time of discovery. Anonymous testing should cease and group pre-test counseling should be given at clinics and hospitals. Saturation education on the need for individual responsibility in sexual relationships must be provided in schools."
"I hope that the Government will take seriously the measures proposed by the Inkhata Freedom Party. Not a stone should be left unturned in our battle against this devastating disease."
A full copy of the IFP’s letter to the Minister of Health is attached
Hon Dr Zuma MP
Minister of Health
Department of Health
PRETORIA
11 February 1999Dear Dr Zuma
With over 200, 000 new HIV victims since the Government launched its Partnership with Aids Programme and recent data suggesting that 1 in 3 people in KwaZulu-Natal are HIV infected, you will be only too aware that South Africa is facing health crisis on an unprecedented scale.
The Inkhata Freedom Party gives its support to Government initiatives such as AIDS Condom Week; nevertheless we believe that further drastic measures must be taken if we are to stem the tide of tragedy that threatens to overwhelm the country.
The Inkhata Freedom Party therefore calls on the Government to follow up AIDS Condom Week with a national crusade to promote openness and personal responsibility. We believe that it is vital for people to know their HIV status if the battle against AIDS is to be joined by all.
Openness and responsibility must be the watchwords of the war against AIDS. HIV testing must be stepped up and people told their results. The condition must be made notifiable: not on a death certificate but at the time of discovery. Anonymous testing should cease and group pre-test counseling should be given at clinics and hospitals. Saturation education on the need for individual responsibility in sexual relationships must be provided in schools.
We also propose that all pregnant women should be tested for AIDS and that those who are positive should be treated. Medical research has indicated that the spread of HIV from mother to child is reduced from 25% to 8% where combination therapy is provided. Research partnerships with drug companies would reduce the costs of this programme.
I hope that the Government will take seriously the measures proposed by the Inkhata Freedom Party and that no stone will be left unturned in our battle against this devastating disease.
Yours sincerely
Dr Ruth Rabinowitz MP Mrs J N Vilakazi MP
