IFP calls for real action on HIV and TB

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
DR RUTH RABINOWITZ MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON HEALTH

September 19, 2006

In her address to the TAC protesters outside parliament today, Dr Ruth Rabinowitz, the Inkatha Freedom Party's Health Spokesperson pointed out that the IFP does not support symbolic acts, but real action.

"The fact that the Health Minister is still occupying her post suggests that she is doing the bidding of government. To correct the faults in handling the AIDS crisis, would need far deeper changes," said Dr Ruth Rabinowitz.

Dr Ruth Rabinowitz continued: "The IFP proposes an extensive change in strategy to fight the HIV epidemic.

"The government must speak with one voice about the real cause of AIDS, which is the HIV virus. AIDS should be treated like any other disease, with wide spread testing to identify those who are positive. All people who require antiretrovirals must be able to access them.

"The Minister must stop making therapeutic claims for vitamins and a healthy diet, which, though important, are no substitute for antiretrovirals.

"All laws impeding access to medication and grants for children should be changed and the IFP commits itself to work in this direction, following proposals made by Miss September at this rally.

"We also believe that it is of fundamental importance to decentralise health services to provinces and local governments, reducing the influence of the Minister and making service delivery more efficient.

"Dr Ruth Rabinowitz appealed to TAC, to assist all those people now succumbing to what could be an even more serious crisis than HIV, the extremely resistant form of TB.

"Dr Buthelezi in his position as the elected leader of the Provisional House of Traditional leaders of KZN is appealing to government, the WHO and various TB non- government organizations, such as TB Free, to apply to the WHO Green Light Committee for support in the provision of free medicines to treat this extremely resistant strain of TB.

Rabinowitz concluded: "While it is government's responsibility to do so, in view of the lack of clear commitment by the Health Department to deal with the latest outbreak of TB as a health crisis, Dr Buthelezi will attempt to motivate a network of NGOs to take the necessary steps to deal with this epidemic."


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr Ruth Rabinowitz MP: 082 579 3698
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470