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The
Treatment Action Campaign said yesterday it would file court
papers against the health department if health minister Manto
Tshabalala-Msimang failed to respond by today to its demands to
supply Aids patients with antiretrovirals.
In a letter of demands sent to Tshabalala-Msimang on March 10, the
TAC gave her seven days to authorise the immediate procurement of
antiretroviral drugs.
TAC spokesperson Mark Heywood said: "We will request the court to
order the minister to make use of regulations that clearly allow
government to purchase an urgent interim supply of antiretrovirals
pending the finalisation of the tender process".
He said it would take months for the Health Department to finalise
the tendering process.
Meanwhile, HIV patients needed medication urgently.
He said initially the TAC gave the minister seven days to respond
but she requested an extension, saying she would be out of the
country.
"We give her until today at 1pm to respond to our demands.
"If she does not respond by then, we are going to file court papers
tomorrow".
The minister's spokesperson, Sibani Mngadi, said Tshabalala-Msimang
would respond by today as she had promised.
Heywood said the TAC had had discussions with the African National
Congress and senior health department officials over providing
medication.
"Following this discussions I hope the matter will not go to
court," he said.
Cabinet instructed Tshabalala-Msimang in August to formulate a
comprehensive HIV/Aids treatment plan, which included the provision
of antiretrovirals.
She appointed a task team headed by Dr Anthony MBewu of the Medical
Research Council, to draw up such a plan. This was done with the
help of staff of the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation of the
US. – Sapa.
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