Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - December 15, 2006
"Every business leader, every political leader, every trade union leader, should test publicly," Achmat said.
"Every church leader should. And our president. Including our president."
His remarks followed a furore over a news report that Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge had said Mbeki should go for a test.
Madlala-Routledge has denied the report, saying that while she believed it was helpful for people in leadership positions to be tested, she had not specifically mentioned Mbeki.
Speaking at the handover of a R500 000 cheque to TAC by Levi Strauss South Africa in Cape Town, Achmat said his call for Mbeki to get tested was not a political stunt.
"The government talks about personal responsibility. And many people in our country ... need to accept personal responsibility for our health," he said.
"Personal responsibility is not just the job of poor people. Personal responsibility starts at the top."
He said Mbeki, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and the whole Cabinet should follow the examples set by senior African National Congress MP Kader Asmal, former justice minister Dullah Omar and Madlala-Routledge herself, who was publicly tested last month along with her husband and son.
According to Achmat only two out of every ten HIV-positive people currently knows their status.
He also called on business to play a political advocacy role in HIV/Aids, saying it is not facing up to the reality of the disease in South Africa.
To his knowledge, the only business leader who has spoken out strongly about denialism in the government had been Virgin's Richard Branson.
Speaking out is in business's long-term interest in terms of creating jobs and running a healthy economy.
"They may not think it's in their interests now. Maybe government will get cross with them now, maybe they won't get that tender in this round.
"But in the long term it is in their interests, because in the long term they'll lose a lot more than that tender," Achmat said.
He said Levi Strauss was one of only two businesses -- the other was the HCI Foundation -- that contributed directly to TAC's work.
The contribution by Levi Strauss had helped the TAC test 10 000 people, of whom 3 000 had been put on government treatment programmes.
061215
SA061208
Copyright © 2006 - 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 2006. 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, 2006. 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. .