Issued by: Ministry of Health
MARCH 3, 1999
The treatment of pregnant HIV-positive women with the AZT-drug was never intended to become a political football.
It was done to save lives.
I have always maintained that AIDS should not become a party-political issue and I remain committed to this statement.
The Western Cape Province has embarked on this trial in Khayelitsha in an effort to lower the incidence of AIDS as well as raise the standard of health in the Province.
This Province has one of the lowest per capita incidence of AIDS and HIV which makes it most suitable for a trial of this nature.
The trial forms part of an integrated AIDS program, which includes awareness campaigns as well as medical intervention.
By embarking on this trial we aim to prove conclusively that the treatment of pregnant HIV-positive women with AZT is the most cost effective method and hope in doing so, Central Government will see the wisdom of our ways.
I want to appeal to all politicians and political parties not to turn AIDS and HIV into a political issue.
They should rather apologise to AIDS and HIV sufferers for having done so already.
Contact person: Johan Smit (083 441 9837)