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 18, 2006
Briefing the media in Cape Town, PAC secretary general Achmad Cassiem said money to fund this could come from cancelling the government's arms-procurement programme and the "repudiation of apartheid debt".
The briefing followed the party's three-day national policy conference, held last week at the University of the Western Cape.
Cassiem said South Africa had a million Aids orphans, 5,5-million citizens with HIV/Aids and more than 800 people dying each day from the disease.
"If these [figures] don't justify a state of emergency, what else will?"
Two primary interventions should include training South Africa's 350 000 teachers and 150 000-strong defence force to help fight the pandemic's spread.
"With funds coming from the repudiation of the apartheid debt and cancellation of the arms deal, there should be money available."
Asked if he would set a leadership example and go for a public Aids test, PAC leader Letlapa Mphahlele said he had yet to make a final decision, but would not do so as a publicity stunt.
"Well, not as a political gimmick ... I'll decide on it, because all of us are going to decide on it individually."
The PAC said it planned to call a national HIV summit next year, to which it wanted to invite President Thabo Mbeki and Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
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