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) - September 4, 2005
Firstly, Nkosazana Zuma, the then Minister of Health introduced something called Virodene to a stunned South Africa populace. It turned out that the "cure" had not gone through rigorous testing. Subsequent reports condemned Virodene for its toxicity.
Our President then appointed Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, whose tenure as Minister of Health has been a charade. Not only did she sustain the President's obfuscatory line on the causal link between Aids and HIV, but she went on to hint at yet another "miracle cure".
While it is well established that a diet consisting of olive oil, garlic and vitamins is good for the immune system, it is dangerous to suggest that it is the panacea for the pandemic. And that is exactly what she suggested.
Which is why we find it deplorable that one Matthias Rath is said to be pulling HIV-positive people off their antiretroviral regime and replacing these with dosages of vitamins. A number of people have already died.
It is our sincere belief that those who pull the antiretroviral lifeline from deserving people are guilty of murder.
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