Issued by Office of the Minister of Health
9 November 2006
It is disturbing that Sowetan decided to publish unproven allegations that there are people in the Eastern Cape who are buying blood with HIV and infect themselves with the aim of getting social grants. (HIV+ blood for sale, Sowetan November 9, 2006).
Publishing these rumours as statement of fact only serves to perpetuate stereotypes against the poor
Currently, there is no grant that is available to people by virtue of the fact that they are living with HIV. A temporary disability grant becomes available only when a health professional has certified that a person has been incapacitated as a result of a disease.
Trading in blood and payment of social grants to those who do not qualify are crimes that should be reported and investigated accordingly. Those found to be involved should be subjected to the appropriate criminal justice processes.
We cannot deny that there are many challenges facing the poor. Government is responding to these challenges through various interventions within its social security programme.
Sibani Mngadi
Spokesperson for Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Minister of Health
Mobile: 082 772 0161