Date: 02/04/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: IDASA/UNDP/SADC Regional Governance & AIDS Forum
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE IDASA/UNDP/SADC REGIONAL GOVERNANCE AND AIDS FORUM, V & A Waterfront Conference Centre, Cape Town, 2 April 2003
Director of the Programme
The Executive Director of IDASA
Representatives of the United Nations Development Programme Representatives of the SADC Health Sector Co-ordinating Unit
SADC Parliamentarians
Distinguished Guests
On behalf of our Government and the South African National Aids Council, let me extend a warm South African welcome to all of you, especially our brothers and sisters from the SADC region.
Let me also extend a word of gratitude to IDASA, the United Nations Development Programme and the SADC Health Sector Co-ordinating Unit for organising this vital Governance and AIDS Forum.
By promoting good social, economic and political governance, and establishing proper institutional mechanisms, we can establish a solid foundation for sustainable development.
As you are aware, the magnitude of the problem is already affecting the continent negatively. Malaria alone is estimated to have slowed economic growth in Africa by 1.3% a year, and HIV/AIDS by up to 2.6% in high prevalence countries.
We are therefore always aware of the need for quick, decisive action, strong regional health structures and concrete nation-wide mobilisation in all the African countries.
Colleagues, our gathering here indicates a commitment to multilateralism, and our belief in a common destiny.
With the establishment of the African Union in July last year, and its adoption of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, (NEPAD), African leaders emphasised that the solution to Africa's challenges, lies in strengthening African partnerships in all spheres.
Through NEPAD, the continent proposes a practical implementation of this ideal of partnerships, through regional, and ultimately full continental co-operation on socio-economic and political development.
NEPAD has clearly provided the much-needed continental political will and commitment, that are paramount to overcoming HIV/AIDS.
The NEPAD health programme offers a medium term approach to the development of an effective, and sustainable programme to reduce the huge burden of communicable diseases, and to set Africa on a path towards achieving its goals.
The programme has identified seven key areas for development, including donor funding towards core service costs, retaining Africa's health workers, affordable drug prices, drug selection and distribution, an emergency transport fund, surveillance and laboratory capacity and health policy programme.
Other NEPAD projects focus on, amongst other things, securing initial centres of excellence and networks, new drug and vaccine development and building a sound communications infrastructure.
Ladies and gentlemen, coming closer to home, I believe that it is a step in the right direction that SADC member states are already putting the partnership concept into practice, and co-operating closely in the health sector.
For instance, the Framework Document signed in August 2000 stipulates how all countries should deal with the scourge of HIV and AIDS.
In addition, co-operation exists at a Ministerial level, through the SADC Ministers' Health Committee. The Committee provides a crucial forum for discussing regional policies, and common positions on issues to be tabled at the annual World Health Association.
I am also pleased that we are working jointly to harmonise the Regulatory Framework for legislation across SADC, especially with regards to registration of medicines. This is a crucial area of co-operation, given the difficulties we face in acquiring medicines in general, and HIV/AIDS drugs in particular.
As African countries, we need to work closely with pharmaceutical companies, within the NEPAD programme, so that affordable drugs can be produced within the continent. I hope methods of doing this will come under discussion at some point during the conference.
South Africa has a comprehensive Government HIV/AIDS strategy and action plan, which focuses on a number of areas including prevention, care and support, treatment and legal and human right support for those living with the disease. Treatment remains an important part of this response, hence our attempts to achieve access to cheaper medicines.
Our Medicines Control Council has registered some generic Anti-Retroviral drugs after receiving voluntary licenses from certain multinational companies. We expect this to lead to lower prices in the medium term.
Successful treatment with anti-retroviral also requires regular laboratory tests to monitor the condition of the immune system. We will continue to work to reduce the high current costs of these tests as well.
We are also optimistic that when a new law, the Medicines Control Amendment Act, comes into force this year, it will facilitate the purchase of medicines at cheaper prices. The law was drawn up in consultation with the main pharmaceutical companies.
We are also continuing in our efforts to secure an appropriate World Trade Organisation agreement that will facilitate access to essential medicines such as those for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria for developing countries.
Let me add that we have made progress in our prevention strategy, and a number of surveys confirm that HIV/AIDS awareness levels in South Africa are very high, and put these at more than ninety percent.
We have embarked on a R98 million campaign called Khomanani - Caring Together - to reinforce and translate these figures into a conscientious change in lifestyles, especially among young people. We hope to see results soon.
Distinguished guests, in our quest for medical solutions to these health problems, we cannot ignore the fact that poverty and hunger make these diseases more devastating. It is therefore critical that our response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic becomes an integrated one, which includes nutrition, poverty reduction and improving food security. We have embarked on this route in our country, as we believe it will assist to strengthen the immune system of those infected by the disease.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me once again thank the organisers of this conference for bringing us all together this week.
This Forum provides an important avenue for us to share ideas and best practice with regards to meeting the challenges of HIV/AIDS as a region. Given the mobility of the disease across borders, we have to cooperate, plan and respond to HIV/AIDS together.
We are, through this conference, once again cementing the SADC partnership against AIDS. I trust that your deliberations will provide food for thought and action for our governments and peoples, and contribute to strengthening this regional partnership.
I also sincerely hope that this initiative will once again highlight the ability of the African people to unite in partnerships that will make the continent a better home for future generations.
I thank you.
Contact: Ms Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575
Issued by The Presidency
2 April 2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: IDASA/UNDP/SADC Regional Governance & AIDS Forum
ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE IDASA/UNDP/SADC REGIONAL GOVERNANCE AND AIDS FORUM, V & A Waterfront Conference Centre, Cape Town, 2 April 2003
Director of the Programme
The Executive Director of IDASA
Representatives of the United Nations Development Programme Representatives of the SADC Health Sector Co-ordinating Unit
SADC Parliamentarians
Distinguished Guests
On behalf of our Government and the South African National Aids Council, let me extend a warm South African welcome to all of you, especially our brothers and sisters from the SADC region.
Let me also extend a word of gratitude to IDASA, the United Nations Development Programme and the SADC Health Sector Co-ordinating Unit for organising this vital Governance and AIDS Forum.
By promoting good social, economic and political governance, and establishing proper institutional mechanisms, we can establish a solid foundation for sustainable development.
As you are aware, the magnitude of the problem is already affecting the continent negatively. Malaria alone is estimated to have slowed economic growth in Africa by 1.3% a year, and HIV/AIDS by up to 2.6% in high prevalence countries.
We are therefore always aware of the need for quick, decisive action, strong regional health structures and concrete nation-wide mobilisation in all the African countries.
Colleagues, our gathering here indicates a commitment to multilateralism, and our belief in a common destiny.
With the establishment of the African Union in July last year, and its adoption of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, (NEPAD), African leaders emphasised that the solution to Africa's challenges, lies in strengthening African partnerships in all spheres.
Through NEPAD, the continent proposes a practical implementation of this ideal of partnerships, through regional, and ultimately full continental co-operation on socio-economic and political development.
NEPAD has clearly provided the much-needed continental political will and commitment, that are paramount to overcoming HIV/AIDS.
The NEPAD health programme offers a medium term approach to the development of an effective, and sustainable programme to reduce the huge burden of communicable diseases, and to set Africa on a path towards achieving its goals.
The programme has identified seven key areas for development, including donor funding towards core service costs, retaining Africa's health workers, affordable drug prices, drug selection and distribution, an emergency transport fund, surveillance and laboratory capacity and health policy programme.
Other NEPAD projects focus on, amongst other things, securing initial centres of excellence and networks, new drug and vaccine development and building a sound communications infrastructure.
Ladies and gentlemen, coming closer to home, I believe that it is a step in the right direction that SADC member states are already putting the partnership concept into practice, and co-operating closely in the health sector.
For instance, the Framework Document signed in August 2000 stipulates how all countries should deal with the scourge of HIV and AIDS.
In addition, co-operation exists at a Ministerial level, through the SADC Ministers' Health Committee. The Committee provides a crucial forum for discussing regional policies, and common positions on issues to be tabled at the annual World Health Association.
I am also pleased that we are working jointly to harmonise the Regulatory Framework for legislation across SADC, especially with regards to registration of medicines. This is a crucial area of co-operation, given the difficulties we face in acquiring medicines in general, and HIV/AIDS drugs in particular.
As African countries, we need to work closely with pharmaceutical companies, within the NEPAD programme, so that affordable drugs can be produced within the continent. I hope methods of doing this will come under discussion at some point during the conference.
South Africa has a comprehensive Government HIV/AIDS strategy and action plan, which focuses on a number of areas including prevention, care and support, treatment and legal and human right support for those living with the disease. Treatment remains an important part of this response, hence our attempts to achieve access to cheaper medicines.
Our Medicines Control Council has registered some generic Anti-Retroviral drugs after receiving voluntary licenses from certain multinational companies. We expect this to lead to lower prices in the medium term.
Successful treatment with anti-retroviral also requires regular laboratory tests to monitor the condition of the immune system. We will continue to work to reduce the high current costs of these tests as well.
We are also optimistic that when a new law, the Medicines Control Amendment Act, comes into force this year, it will facilitate the purchase of medicines at cheaper prices. The law was drawn up in consultation with the main pharmaceutical companies.
We are also continuing in our efforts to secure an appropriate World Trade Organisation agreement that will facilitate access to essential medicines such as those for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria for developing countries.
Let me add that we have made progress in our prevention strategy, and a number of surveys confirm that HIV/AIDS awareness levels in South Africa are very high, and put these at more than ninety percent.
We have embarked on a R98 million campaign called Khomanani - Caring Together - to reinforce and translate these figures into a conscientious change in lifestyles, especially among young people. We hope to see results soon.
Distinguished guests, in our quest for medical solutions to these health problems, we cannot ignore the fact that poverty and hunger make these diseases more devastating. It is therefore critical that our response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic becomes an integrated one, which includes nutrition, poverty reduction and improving food security. We have embarked on this route in our country, as we believe it will assist to strengthen the immune system of those infected by the disease.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me once again thank the organisers of this conference for bringing us all together this week.
This Forum provides an important avenue for us to share ideas and best practice with regards to meeting the challenges of HIV/AIDS as a region. Given the mobility of the disease across borders, we have to cooperate, plan and respond to HIV/AIDS together.
We are, through this conference, once again cementing the SADC partnership against AIDS. I trust that your deliberations will provide food for thought and action for our governments and peoples, and contribute to strengthening this regional partnership.
I also sincerely hope that this initiative will once again highlight the ability of the African people to unite in partnerships that will make the continent a better home for future generations.
I thank you.
Contact: Ms Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575
Issued by The Presidency
2 April 2003
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