Issued by: Ministry of Health
6 FEBRUARY 1997
It is estimated that + - 2 million South Africans are infected with the HIV virus and more than 500 of our people continue to be infected daily. 1 in 5 women in KwaZulu/Natal who attend anti-natal clinics are HIV positive.
Four all these millions of people in South Africa and other developing countries there is no specific affordable treatment for HIV/AIDS. The `cocktails' that are available are way beyond the means of most patients even patients from developed countries cannot afford them. In less than 10 years 500 people will die daily from AIDS unless we can find treatment.
I am very concerned about this situation and any glimmer of hope to get treatment should be encouraged by all of us.
My view is that the team of scientists are sincere and dedicated to finding an affordable treatment. Treatment that will improve the quality of life and even prolong the lives of HIV infected people. We have a duty to our country, our people and mankind in general to continue research in this area until we find the appropriate treatment.
I would therefore, like to support both the team of scientists and the Medicine Control Council in their effort to prepare an ethical and high quality research protocol. I urge the MCC and the team of scientists to work expeditiously to find an affordable treatment to save the lives of all our people.
The Chairman of the MCC had this to say to me about this matter:
"I confirm my commitment to researchers, to work together with them and with yourself, to enable them to make progress with their future work with Virodene. The Medicines Control Council shares your and the investigators' concern to serve patients with HIV infection and AIDS, and to support meaningful new work that may help the patients. The Medicines Control Council (MCC) has given the researchers the undertaking that we will do everything we can to provide the necessary support. We have been impressed by the sincerity and dedication of the research workers and their willingness to co-operate with the MCC. Like you, and them, the MCC would like to see a good result come from their research efforts.
I hope that all South Africans including political parties will co-operate and support this effort. We have to race against time for the sake of saving lives.
Contact: Vincent Hlongwane 0825570978