Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - August 17, 2003
Ranjeni Munusamy
The team, to be headed by the Medical Research Council's executive director for research, Dr Anthony Mbewu, will include experts assembled by former US President Bill Clinton's foundation.
Nono Simelela, head of the Aids directorate in the Health Department, will be deputy head of the team.
Members of the Clinton Foundation's Aids Initiative, led by its head, Ira Magaziner, flew to South Africa this week to meet Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang and work out what technical assistance the government needs.
Among the foundation's aims is to help the government buy and produce antiretroviral drugs at the lowest possible prices.
The foundation's aid comes as a result of discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and the former US president, the latest round of which was during former President Nelson Mandela's 85th birthday party.
The Clinton Foundation was asked last month to comment on the report of the joint health and treasury task team that investigated the costs of distributing antiretroviral drugs in South Africa. Within four days, Magaziner responded by saying the foundation was "very impressed" as the report conformed to "the best international standards".
Three days later, the foundation offered to dispatch a team to South Africa immediately to work on, among other things:
Setting up a specialised unit, as recommended by the health and treasury task team, to manage implementation nationally;
A detailed plan for the creation of provincial training centres that will serve as the hubs for the roll-out;
A strategy to buy and produce drugs at the lowest possible price;
A plan to upgrade the national laboratory system to handle an increase in HIV testing; and
A communications plan to help Aids patients and health professionals understand how the drugs are to be used.
Government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said the Cabinet's decision was based on the task team report but was "influenced" by the recommendations from the foundation.
"Issues pertaining to implementation are critical in determining the scale, scope and pace of distribution," Netshitenzhe said.
"We don't want this to be a poor man's treatment by giving out something that is substandard. We are using the best available regimes."
030817
ST030818
Copyright © 2003 - The Sunday Times. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Sunday Times Permissions Desk.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. 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, 2003. 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. .