Deputy President Jacob Zuma told the first South African AIDS Conference in Durban yesterday that the Aids epidemic raised "huge challenges, ethical and human rights questions".

Opening the conference, Zuma who is also chairperson of the South African National AIDS Council, skirted the present controversy over the provision of Nevirapine to babies and antiretrovirals to rape survivors.

He did say, however, "some people sometimes feel that the government is not caring for people that are infected with HIV and Aids by not providing them with antiretroviral therapy".

Zuma told the 4000 delegates at the Durban Convention Centre that government was "finalising several international agreements that will ensure access to medication to the many people infected with HIV and Aids.

"The challenge lies in powerful and continuous action to prevent new infections and to provide care and support for the many who are infected or affected".

He said that big business could do far more to address the challenges posed by HIV/Aids, "by providing effective services to their workforces and their families".

Zuma said South Africa faces "huge capacity challenges (which) often raise serious ethical and human rights questions": -What health care and social support do governments owe to citizens who are ill? -How should the needs of those with HIV infection be balanced against those with other life-threatening diseases? -When resources are insufficient, is it acceptable for some to benefit and not others? If so, how should such selection be made? Zuma suggested six ways "to overcome these challenges": political leadership; mobilising communities; effective scientific solutions; resources; preventing stigma; and partnerships by all stakeholders.

He stressed that government did not question the existence of HIV and Aids. "We are trying to understand the causal factors beyond the virus. HIV and Aids are regarded as a national priority".

Zuma noted that a five-year strategic plan was introduced in 2000 to address HIV, Aids and sexually-transmitted illnesses to monitor and deal with the epidemic.

He praised advances made in scientific research in South Africa, and a "very strong and vocal civil society response to HIV and Aids" which complemented the work of government.

Zuma noted that plans to prevent and treat HIV must be accompanied "by plans to alleviate and eradicate poverty.

In the current Medium Term Expenditure Framework period of 2003-04 to 2005-06, National Treasury has set aside R3,3-billion to fight HIV/Aids.

These funds are to be channelled to Health, Education and Social Development, with R2 billion to strengthen the health system in provinces.

"In the coming year we can expect further increases, with funding from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, the Bill Clinton Foundation and the US Emergency Fund.

"Investing in Aids prevention and treatment today means saving millions of lives tomorrow, preserving societal stability, and ensuring economic prosperity." Zuma told delegates that the epidemic would be reduced by, "the application of proven leadership from government and civil society (and) the extension of access to care and treatment and ongoing scientific research.

"As government we have done our level best to attend to the HIV and Aids challenge, and will continue to do so. Awareness of HIV/Aids among South Africans exceeds 90%. The bigger challenge is changing our behaviour". – Sapa.