iClinic - October 5, 2000
Marjolein Harvey
In line with his lending a willing ear to so-called AIDS dissidents, who deny that HIV causes AIDS, Mbeki has now picked up on rumours spread by dissident groups that the TAC has hidden interests - that the TAC is secretly funded by pharmaceutical companies, who stand to benefit from their call for increased access to HIV/AIDS drugs.
Anita Allan of one such group - the Forum for Debating AIDS SA (FDASA) - has flooded iClinic's e-mail box with rumours that the TAC is funded by pharmaceutical groups and refuses to open its books to public scrutiny, and that TAC leader and HIV-positive activist Zackie Achmat is a wanted terrorist in the US.
Achmat told SABC radio on Monday that the TAC's sources of funding are various - they range from individual contributions "of poor people who have no money", and from organisations such as the Australian organisation of AIDS foundations and M decines sans Fronti res (Doctors without Borders).
"They are all organisations that have been thoroughly checked, as per TAC's constitution, that they have no ties with drug companies," says Achmat.
SABC radio reported that Mbeki recently told an ANC caucus meeting that the TAC was funded by pharmaceutical companies and had infiltrated trade unions. Mbeki was also said to have accused pharmaceutical companies to spread the theory that HIV causes AIDS because it would benefit them financially.
"We have no interest to fight this thing in the court, but it is important that everybody understands that it is our job to fight the drug companies and get them to bring the price of HIV/AIDS drugs down to affordable levels," Achmat told SABC radio.
"We want to find out whether the President made those remarks and if true, what the source of his information is," says Achmat.
"The President should rather apply his mind to corruption within government than to give in to smears by the dissidents such as the FDASA and allies," Achmat says.
He says that the TAC has sent a letter to the Public Protector and is awaiting their reply.
He also says that SA trade unions are part of the TAC in their fight for access to HIV/AIDS drugs for SA workers, and that it is an attack on the independence of trade unions to suggest that they have been "infiltrated" by TAC.
He says that earlier this year, the TAC has asked for a meeting with the President, but to date the President's office "has not taken the time to speak to us, while they have taken the time to speak to AIDS dissidents".
On the recent controversy around Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's interview with radio 702 presenter John Robbie - where a quarrel ensued over the minister's refusal to state whether HIV causes AIDS and Robbie was accused of being disrespectful - Achmat says "We are increasingly worried about the disrespect our government is showing for the lives of poor people, and the lives of black people in particular.
"And we feel seriously that we have been scapegoated for the incorrect and wrong policies of this government."
001005
IC001001
Copyright © 2000 - iClinic is part of the Woza Network. It is sponsored by Medafrica.com and Labafrica.com. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the iClinic Permissions Desk.
ÆGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
ÆGiS 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 ©1990, 2000. ÆGiS & the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary. All materials appearing on ÆGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of ÆGiS and the Sisters of Saint. Elizabeth of Hungary, or the party credited as the provider of the content.