Action Campaign i Sydafrika og Afrika Kontakt (tidligere Sydafrika Kontakt) i Danmark overrakte fredag nedenstående fællesbrev til den sydafrikanske ambassadør foran landets ambassade i Hellerup i det nordlige København i anledning af den Internationale aids dag, 1. december.
“A Wake up Call for South Africa”
1000 South Africans die every day because of AIDS. Beetroots (rødbeder) and promises is not enough!
Beetroots and garlic (hvidløg) can cure AIDS! That was the statement from the South African minister of health at the annual international AIDS-conference held in Toronto.
The statement triggered condemnation from local and international activists. For years activists, like Treatment Action Campaign and Africa Contact, has criticised the South African government for neglecting the seriousness of AIDS pandemic, and for their missing motivation to fight the disease.
And the critique is reasonable. The way South Africa has handled the epidemic contradicts human rights, Thus experts have estimated that South Africas “lack of care” has meant that the country is losing the fight against aids.
Every year thousands of South Africans are infected by HIV, in a country where 5,5 million people already live with the illness (19 per cent of the adult population). At the same time more than 1000 South Africans die from the disease every day.
But it does not have to be like that. South Africa can afford to do more. Examples from other African countries have shown that, a determined effort can stem the epidemic and modify its consequences. But it demands political leadership and that is lacking behind in South Africa.
Therefore we are astonished by the fact, that the ministers, who have tried to make an effort, are no longer ministers.
Way to often words and promises has not lead to action. AIDS is a social problem that is not solved by easy solutions. Rather there is a need for a sustained political leadership and a long termed effort. And that is what South Africa, together with many other African countries, has missed.
South Africa has necessary strategies to combat the aids epidemic. But good intentions and national treatment plans is not enough, if the action is lacking behind.
It has been difficult for the South African government to implement their strategies. That might be caused by the fact, that these plans have been designed as a result of pressure from the South African population and the international society, and not at President Mbeki’s office.
In the near future Treatment Action Campaign and Africa Contact will carry out activities to pressure the South African government to ensure the marginalised and poor are given the information, education and health. This is a precondition in order to create a basis for preventing HIV and at the same time an assumption to secure South Africans access to ARV-medicine.
We will lobby the Danish government to put pressure on the South African government to keep their promises and follow the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS 2007-2011.
Signe Borker Bjerre, chairman of Africa Contact, states:
– Denmark must lead the fight against AIDS. It is fortunate that AIDS is highly prioritised in Denmark’s development strategies, but words are not enough. They must be followed up by concrete strategies, increased financing and action that can secure prevention, treatment and care for people infected by AIDS. The Danish contribution to the Global Fund to fight TB, malaria and AIDS, must not be neglected The Danish contribution should be at the same level as Sweden and Norway.
Regis Mtutu, International Campaigns Coordinator in Treatment Action Campaign states:
– The dismissal of former Deputy-Minister of Health, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, reinforces growing concerns about President Mbeki and Minister Tshabalala-Msimangs commitment to implementing the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS 2007-2011 (NSP). Madlala Routledge created a new partnership that contributed to the development of this plan. She fought for a scientific approach to HIV medicine, based on the principles of universal access to treatment and comprehensive evidence-based prevention. The TAC believes we can best show our support for Madlala-Routledge by galvanising public support for the implementation of the NSP.
Close to one million HIV positive South Africans is continuously denied access to ARV-medicine. Every day about 1000 of them die. For those, beetroots or empty promises are not worth much. They need action now!
Treatment Action Campaign, South Africa, and Africa Contact, Denmark
Yderligere oplysninger hos:
Regis Mtutu, International Campaigns Coordinator, Treatment Action Campaign
34 Main Road Muzeinberg, 7945 Cape Town, Tel +27 21 788 3507
Morten Nielsen, Information and Campaigns officer, Africa Contact – Denmark
Wesselsgade 4 kld – 2200 Kbn N, Tlf. 35 35 92 32 (AC) or Mobil: 25 39 65 57
