RUMOUR THAT DOCTORS IN AREA SPREADING HIV\AIDS

Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government

25 April 2001

The Office of the MEC for Health has learnt of the report in The Star (25 April, page 3) in which Hope Huma (spokesperson for the MEC) was quoted as saying the MEC will be meeting with doctors from Kathorus in the East Rand about the rumour that doctors in the area are spreading HIV/AIDS.

This is the correct and latest version from the office of the MEC:

• The MEC for Health has not received a request from the affected doctors or their collective organisation with regard to their concern over the rumours.
• The Gauteng Health Department will certainly offer support and assistance to the doctors in investigating the origins of the rumour. This will only happen should the doctors concerned, or their organisation send a formal request to the office of the Mor the Head of Department.
• The MEC, Head of Dept and the Chief Director of Health in the East Rand are not aware of the rumour or the media reports and cannot therefore meet and discuss those issues until asked to intervene. The matter rests with the doctors themselves for now.
• I can confirm that the Gauteng Health Department would be willing to offer any required assistance to the doctors should a formal written request be made.

Issued By: Hope Huma
Media Liaison Officer to the MEC
082 555 2302