Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - August 9, 2003
Cameron Dugmore, an ANC spokesperson, said the decision was a major boost for the ANC government's comprehensive strategy to fight HIV/Aids. "I am particularly pleased that cabinet has once again emphasised that there is no cure for HIV/Aids and underlined our joint responsibility to prevent new infections.
The fight against poverty must be intensified as we ensure that those infected have access to proper nutrition. Research into ways of boosting the immune systems of our people also needs to be intensified," he said. As chairperson of the ANC health committee in the province, Dugmore said he had called for a special meeting of the secretariat on Monday to discuss how the ANC in the Western Cape could intensify the war against HIV/Aids.
"This campaign is already central to our programme of action but now needs to be intensified. I have always felt that the Western Cape health department, while doing solid work on MTCT and other programmes, has seriously neglected community mobilisation and prevention strategies in the fight against Aids. There has not been an adequate emphasis on the link between poverty and the prevalence of HIV/Aids and no clear programmes in those areas of our province where the infection rate is very high.
"This must change. We will never win the battle without the involvement of all our communities. This will mean concrete steps to support community-based organisations who can take the message out in a way which actually begins to change behaviour," Dugmore said.
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