Issued by Ministry of Health
21 August 2006
The Ministry of Health is disappointed by the level of ignorance demonstrated by the leader of the Independent Democrats, Patricia De Lille during an interview with SAFM (AM Live show) this morning about her statement that the Minister of Health be removed from office.
If she has ambitions of becoming an important player in the country's political landscape, De Lille should at least try to get the basic facts right before making public statements.
De Lille claimed that the Ministry of Health has allegedly failed to meet the target set by the President in the State of the Nation Address of putting 53 000 people on antiretroviral therapy.
More than 175 000 people have been initiated on antiretroviral therapy at more than 200 public health facilities accredited to provide antiretroviral drugs across the country. This makes South Africa to become the country with the largest number of people initiated on ARV in the world
While De Lille is failing to provide leadership to her small party at a municipality level in Cape Town, she now wants South Africans to trust her views as to who should be the national Minister of Health. She should focus on improving her ailing political party and win elections before deciding on who should included or excluded from Cabinet.
De Lille should also learn that most of the people living with HIV and AIDS do not require antiretroviral drugs as these becomes an option only when CD4 count had decreased to 200 or below.
The Comprehensive Plan for Management, Care and Treatment of HIV and AIDS emphasises prevention as the mainstay of the country's response to HIV and AIDS. People are also encouraged to use voluntary counselling and testing services that are available in 89% of public health facilities.
Those who test positive are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles which includes regular physical activity, good nutrition and avoiding health risks such as smoking and alcohol abuse.
If people develop any opportunistic infection, they should visit our facilities and get appropriate treatment for that particular infection.
It is only when a person has progressed to a stage of full blown AIDS and with a CD4 of 200 or below that antiretroviral drugs becomes an option. They are provided in accredited facilities free of charge.
People living with HIV and AIDS should enquire at their nearest clinics about the variety of services available as part of the Comprehensive Plan and not be misled by the likes of De Lille.
Contact
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for the Minister of Health
0827720161