Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2002. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - Sunday 17 March 2002
Rowan Philp
Having asked pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline to sponsor the R2-million Qaukeni clinic near Lusikisiki, Mandela this week urged staff to "give the proper treatment" to Aids sufferers, including babies.
The move comes amid sharp debate within the ANC over whether or not the drug should be rolled out beyond official test sites.
At a packed opening ceremony, the clinic's matron, Nomvelo Batakati, told the Sunday Times she would dispense nevirapine to HIV-positive pregnant women "the moment we get our hands on it".
"Once it's available to us, we will do it," said Batakati.
Zelda le Grange, spokesman for Mandela, said: "This will be in keeping with Madiba's proposals to the ANC that nevirapine and any drug that helps should be made available to any person who needs it."
Le Grange added that Mandela supported comments by the Eastern Cape premier that nursing staff and midwives should be trained in how to treat mothers with nevirapine.
In his speech, Mandela said: "Many young people and babies are dying in large numbers every day.
"The people who are well must give them support and love, and we must make sure we give them the proper treatment."
The clinic was born in 2000 when King Sigcau of Eastern Pondoland told Mandela that the personal house he, the king, had set aside as an informal clinic was inadequate for the area's population of over 20 000.
At a business breakfast soon afterwards, Mandela challenged John Kearney, chief executive of GlaxoSmith-Kline South Africa, to build and equip a new clinic there.
GlaxoSmithKline does not produce nevirapine, but Dr Peter Moore, its director of medicine, said he hoped Qaukeni - and all clinics - would avail patients of all Aids-fighting drugs.
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