Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - Wednesday, April 24, 2002
In an interview with The Star newspaper Mbeki denied that there was a lack of leadership by the government on HIV/Aids, but conceded that there might be a communication problem.
"Perhaps we are not communicating that (message) loud enough. But I think there's been very strong leadership on the matter," the president said.
He indicated that he was prepared to do more than he had in the past to provide leadership on the HIV/Aids issue.
"It is critically important that I communicate correct messages."
Mbeki expressed concern that a message of hopelessness was pervasive among people infected and affected by the disease.
"There are wrong things that are being communicated, like a question of hopelessness," he said.
The president said a major impact could be made on South Africa's health problems by treating curable diseases such a tuberculosis, regardless of a person's HIV status.
"Otherwise you are taking someone and: I sentence you to death.
"That is wrong. We can't send people home to die. We need a comprehensive response to the health problem."
He said the Aids issue could be solved, but this required a sense of compassion and concern about people.
"I think that if people are told the truth, they can get through this. And it is necessary to tell the truth repeatedly," Mbeki said.
HIV/Aids is expected to reduce the life expectancy of South Africans to 45 years by 2010.
He also urged all South Africans to take responsibility for their own lifestyles and personal health.
"You need to inculcate into the minds of people that they, too, have a responsibility for the health," Mbeki told the newspaper.
"You can't be going around having hugely promiscuous sex all over the place and hope that you won't be affected by something or the other." - Sapa
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