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) - August 6, 2002
The province's government remained firmly committed to empowering men and especially women with the means to avoid them becoming infected with HIV and to prevent the transmission of the virus to their children, he said.
Welcoming delegates to a "Women's Parliament" held in the province's legislature on the eve of Women's Day on Friday, Van Schalkwyk said HIV/Aids impacted dramatically on the women of South Africa.
"In many respects, women have been most hard hit by this pandemic, especially in terms of the social and family consequences of living with HIV/Aids or having a husband or partner who is HIV-positive. This is is one of the reasons why we will not allow our fight against HIV/AIDS to be compromised."
The Western Cape government would remain on course in its efforts to save people's lives, whether they were HIV-positive mothers, their unborn children, or people living with HIV/Aids.
"A key element of our battle is Nevirapine, and we will not allow the politicisation of Nevirapine to derail our efforts.
"I believe that because our national and provincial governments are committed to the fight against HIV/Aids and to saving lives, that the current confusion created by the reports about the Medicines' Control Council (MCC) should be speedily and amicably resolved. Recourse to the courts, whilst not discounted, should be a last resort."
Van Schalkwyk said in order to resolve the matter "quickly and constructively" he had asked the Western Cape Health MEC, Piet Meyer, to officially request all relevant information from the MCC.
"We would expect the MCC to supply this information in the public interest, and for maximum transparency and accountability, as well as for the sake of the 70000 babies born annually who will face an almost certain death sentence if the MCC and Nevirapine become political footballs."
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