Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Bangkok Post - December 3, 2003
Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
The government and communities they serve must be on the same side, the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner said during a panel discussion to mark the World Aids Day on Dec 1 at Cape Town University.
He said the South African government's success in initiating the "Aids drug access policy" could be attributed to the close cooperation between the government and Aids activists.
Without it, there was no hope to win the war against the disease, he said.
Dr Joy Phumaphi, the World Health Organisation assistant director-general, said there was a need for countries around the globe to learn from one another in an effort to fight stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV/Aids.
"Countries are not learning from one another's mistakes," she said. It should be realised that providing anti-retroviral drugs as a treatment was not an option but a necessity.
The South African government will become the first government in the world to launch a policy of providing free anti-retroviral drugs to all HIV-positive patients with an immunity count of 200 or less in white blood cells by the end of 2005.
In Thailand, a plan to provide what is claimed to be the world's cheapest Aids drug GPO-VIR, manufactured by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, is expected to reach 50,000 Aids sufferers by next year.
The government has budgeted 904 million baht to cover the expenses for the distribution of the drug to 40,000 people, and another 359 million baht to serve the same purpose will come from the global fund.
While international agencies like UNAids and the World Health Organisation hope to provide access to treatment to three million HIV-positive people by the year 2005, issues surrounding stigma and discrimination continue to haunt people living with the virus.
Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo, an activist for rights of people with HIV/Aids, said she was offended by campaign posters sending messages that could adversely affect people carrying the virus.
She held up a poster showing a black person with both hands over his eyes which read indifference is still the worse side-effect and said such information is discriminatory in itself.
"We need to get up close and personal," she said. Youths should be urged to abstain from casual sex, be faithful to one partner and, if not, to always use condoms, she said. Anti-Aids campaigns were basically aimed at people who had a choice, but the choice was taken away from women in local settings in most communities of the country because of the high incidence of rape and the unequal social status of women and men.
Ms Kuzwayo said instead of focusing only on provision of anti-retroviral drugs, which are surrounded by issues like side-effects and their effectiveness, the communities should be strengthened through a better understanding about HIV/Aids.
Archbishop Tutu said he was willing to go for a blood test in an attempt to lead the way for a better understanding of the disease and the removal of stigma and discrimination.
"I don't mind any time," the Anglican religious leader said when asked if he was ready to lead a blood test campaign. The South African government and Aids activists have been trying to persuade the public at large to go for voluntary blood tests, but the response has been poor because many think they are not in the risk group.
031203
BP031206
Copyright © 2003 - The Bangkok Post. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Bangkok Post.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. 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, 2003. 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. .