AEGiS-BBC: SA's HIV/Aids fight 'mismanaged': Corruption and poor oversight have undermined South Africa's fight against HIV/ Aids, a new report says.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

SA's HIV/Aids fight 'mismanaged': Corruption and poor oversight have undermined South Africa's fight against HIV/ Aids, a new report says.

BBC News - November 28, 2007
Martin Plaut, BBC Africa analyst

The authors, the Institute of Security Studies and Transparency International, say there has been a "potentially lethal cocktail of mismanagement".

They blame South Africa's president for questioning the link between HIV and Aids and say his stance has had an impact on the whole health system.

South Africa has the highest incidence of Aids in the world.

The report, titled A Lethal Cocktail, says 30% of the population is infected.

'Lives endangered'

Politicisation of the disease has created numerous channels for abuse and is undermining attempts to counter it, the report says.

The authors conclude that it has become difficult to disentangle corruption from mismanagement and system failure as the root causes of the poor response to Aids.

Much of the responsibility is laid at the door of President Thabo Mbeki, whose well-known questioning of the link between the HIV virus and Aids has resulted in activists labelling him an "Aids denialist".

The report says that his stand has had an impact throughout the health system, creating numerous channels for abuse.

The authors cite an example of a doctor dismissed for allowing a rape charity to use a disused hospital, because they were distributing anti-retroviral drugs.

The local politician accused the doctor concerned of endangering black lives and threatening to turn South Africa into a banana republic.

071128
BB071116

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.