Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - March 20, 2002
A report released at the party's headquarters in Johannesburg on the findings of its national executive committee meeting last weekend, said the policies and strategies in place were -- under the current circumstances -- among the best and relevant to manage the epidemic.
"The NEC meeting put all elements of our policies and strategies under scrutiny and also examined the environment within which these matters had to be articulated," the report read by party spokesman Smuts Ngonyama said.
The report said the prevention of mother-to-child-transmission (MTCT) entailed more than the administration of anti-retrovirals to pregnant HIV women, but also involved "complex procedures" to manage the delivery of new-born babies, their health status and the well-being of their mothers.
It said the current research programme on nevirapine was to establish both the long term efficacy and resistance to the drug.
Through the MTCT research it would be possible to determine whether or not the administration of the drug could be nationally rolled out.
The national roll out plan would also be advised by the outcome of tests on the first babies in the current programme -- babies who would between 12 and 18 months in December this year.
The meeting also resolved that someone who had contracted HIV from sexual attack or needlestick injury would not receive anti-retrovirals because the research had not yet spelled the efficacy of the drugs.
"The NEC therefore reaffirmed that these could not be provided in public health institutions for this purpose. However, it instructed the Health Ministry to do further work on this subject by consulting with medical practitioners and other health workers."
The meeting said numerous anti-retroviral drugs had been registered for use in the country, but these could not be used because of prohibitive costs and the consequences for the person when complex guidelines for their use were not complied with.
ANC deputy secretary-general Thenjiwe Mtintso said mechanisms had to be in place to monitor whether or patients were taking their medicine properly. The report said the NEC also examined the role of scientific debate in the fight against the disease.
It said there were three components of the basic premise from which the party would deal with fighting HIV/Aids. These included the assumption that HIV causes Aids, there was no cure for Aids and socio-economic conditions, particularly poverty.
The party also approved government's appeal to the Constitutional Court against a high court judgment allowing nevirapine to be administered to HIV positive pregnant woman.
"The appeal is driven by the desire to clarify the critical matter of the role of the judiciary in relation to detailed matters of public policy," the report said.
"We are convinced that it is incorrect for anyone to prescribe a specific drug from the bench, let alone one who's efficacy is still under investigation." The report said it defied logic to implement the court's judgements pending the Constitutional Court appeal.
"What this means in actual practise is that medicine still subject to research should be delivered to health institutions for universal access with the possibility of withdrawing it if the Constitutional Court rules against the judgement."
020320
SA020301
Copyright © 2002 - South African Press Association. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the South African Press Association, Cotswold House, Greenacres Office Park, Cnr. Victory & Rustenburg Roads, VICTORY PARK, PO BOX 7766, JOHANNESBURG, 2000; Fax No: +27 11 782-1587/8, Tel No: +27 11 782-1600.
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, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. 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, 2002. 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. .