NGO
31 May 2006
The Ministry of Health notes the degree of maturity demonstrated by the
Deputy Chairperson of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Khensani Mavasa, when
addressing the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV
and AIDS which started in New York today.
Mavasa addressed the UNGASS as a representative of the International Women's
Health Organisation (IWHO) from United States of America after the TAC rejected
an invitation to be part of a South African country delegation to the
meeting.
Mavasa, who is living with HIV, highlighted the challenges of poverty that
is prevalent in her home village of Limpopo and acknowledged that efforts have
been made in her home village like in all other districts of South Africa to
make HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment programme available.
Mavasa said she need not be on antiretroviral (ARVs) therapy because her CD4
count was still high. The Ministry of Health would like to reassure Mavasa that
at the time when she needs ARVs, she will be able to access them free of charge
from an accredited government health facility.
The spirit of her statement to UNGASS was in contrast to an unbecoming
behaviour of the TAC chairperson, Zachie Achmat, during the TAC march in
Pretoria on Tuesday. Achmat used the march to falsely accuse government of
being in denial and of lying in its report to UNGASS.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Ministry of Health
31 May 2006
