Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Sunday Times (Johannesburg) - May 8, 2005
By doing so the government put behind us the ugly recriminations that had characterised South Africa's fight against HIV/Aids. This step had been preceded by the government's April 17 2002 statement, when it launched the Campaign of Hope, "calling on all sectors of society to join hands in intensifying the campaign to prevent HIV infection, and deal with its consequences".
But Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang seems to be railing against her Cabinet and her department's
own programme, playing down the health benefits of antiretrovirals whenever she is not reading from a prepared speech.
This week Tshabalala-Msimang cast doubt on the success of the government's programme, questioning the official figure of 42000 beneficiaries on the grounds that patients were dying or dropping out. But, she stated, she did not know how many had fallen by the wayside.
She again stridently warned about the side effects of antiretrovirals. And she promoted the advantages of nutrition and taking micronutrients as an alternative to antiretroviral treatment, rather than as a means of supplementing therapy.
Yes, antiretrovirals do have side effects.
But these drugs also restore the quality of life for Aids patients, many of whom rise from their deathbeds to go back to work.
In fact, preliminary studies on South Africa's antiretroviral roll-out show very good results and high levels of adherence to treatment.
While nobody doubts the importance of proper nutrition, especially to HIV/Aids patients with weakened immune systems, it is not a substitute for medicines. No major scientific studies have proved that good food is more effective than treatment, or should replace antiretroviral therapy.
Tshabalala-Msimang's scepticism harms both patients and doctors.
Across the country, there are people with Aids who need antiretrovirals but are wary of their side effects after taking the minister's alarms about their toxicity to heart.
Health professionals working flat-out to bring treatment to critically ill Aids patients are also demotivated by the minister's attitude towards antiretroviral therapy.
Surely it is time for the minister to support her officials and the HIV specialists in public-health institutions who are working hard to make this programme a success.
All that is being asked of her is that she stop contradicting her own policy and provide correct leadership in the roll-out of the programme.
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