Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Integrated Regional Information Networks - November 29, 2005
TAC said in a statement on Tuesday that it had filed court papers against the Minister of Health, the Medicines Control Council, the Western Cape provincial Minister of Health, and several of Rath's employees and associates.
"In addition to [the aforementioned people], we are also suing our government and certain statutory bodies. We do so with great reluctance, but it is our mandate and duty to protect the rights of people living with HIV/AIDS," TAC commented.
The organisation charged that Tshabalala-Msimang, who has at times appeared to support AIDS denialists, and the statutory bodies that she oversees have had ample opportunity to avoid the litigation, but have chosen not to.
"Despite a Cabinet decision in November 2003 to provide antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, the only scientifically proven medicines to reverse the course of AIDS, [the Health Minister] has not once encouraged people to seek such treatment," TAC pointed out.
Tshabalala-Msimang has emphasised the benefits of garlic and olive oil, among other nutritional substances, while downplaying ARVs for HIV-people, and has repeatedly been at the centre of controversy for allowing Rath to push vitamin compounds as an alternative to antiretroviral therapy.
Rath, a German-born doctor, has been accused of endangering the lives of HIV-positive patients by openly conducting illegal activities in South Africa to the knowledge of the Health Minister, the Western Cape provincial health department, and the Medicines Control Council.
The TAC said "scientifically bogus" messages about HIV were being spread in South African society, leading to confusion and numerous avoidable deaths.
"It is crucial if we are to make progress against the epidemic that government officials convey accurate information about the disease, especially its prevention and treatment," the group stressed.
The TAC said it hoped this, the latest in a line of legal suites against government, would bring about an end to the politically supported campaign of AIDS denialism and misinformation.
[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
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