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

5th August 2008

Dr Ruth Rabinowitz MP, IPF spokesperson on Health today said: 

"Ex President of Botswana Festus Mogae's proposal that African leaders form an HIV Initiative indicates the failure of current forums to handle the AIDS crisis effectively." 

"South Africa should immediately adopt the strategy of routine testing, with an opt-out provision as Botswana did years ago.  Few people will refuse, since the obligation to have routine and voluntary pre-test counselling, stems from the politicians and not the public.  Mandatory counselling and routine testing would help realise the elusive goal of openness and result in more people being tested.  Group pre-test counselling offered on videos at clinics, hospitals, schools, post offices and on campuses would saturate the public with the AIDS message and serve as pre-test counselling." 

"Currently, the need for one on one pre-test counselling provides an excuse for less testing to be performed where there is a shortage of counsellors.

With 70% of people living with HIV not yet receiving treatment - this is a travesty!" 

"The human rights ploy, that we care so much about your right to privacy that we don't care if you die of AIDS, is an example of how certain issues become politically correct mantras.  The call is taken up by "goody two shoes" activists and the public suffer the consequences.  Sick people go to clinics or doctors to learn the cause of their illness and be treated." 

"Every treatment should involve an explanation by a doctor or nurse, be it cancer, TB, AIDS or common flu.  The approximately 6 million people with HIV in SA can hardly fear social ostracism.  There is solidarity in numbers and the less preciously we skirt around HIV, the more likely people are to accept it as just another illness that can be treated and managed." 

For further Information contact: 
Dr Ruth Rabinowitz MP 
082 579 3698