Minister Tshabalala-Msimang
17 September 2006
Treatment Action Campaign is in the process of raising R4 million to finance
its media and publicity campaign aimed at ousting the Minister of Health, Dr
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
While the prospect of success of this campaign is almost nil, the money
being raised can save lives by procuring millions of condoms or provide
antiretroviral treatment to more than a thousand people.
The organisation states in its website http://www.tac.org.za, that it has already raised
R100 000 and calls upon donors to support its R4 million fundraising efforts.
It makes special arrangements for donors in United Kingdom and United States of
America, which are the main countries where the organisation has intensified
its campaign against Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
It also states categorically that the organisation will not accept donations
from the South African Government and pharmaceutical companies.
The money will be used to finance the organisation's activities over the
next three months to try to remove Minister Tshabalala-Msimang from office.
Some of the activities to be financed include a march to parliament on 19
September, to coincide with the meeting of Correctional Service Portfolio
Committee, a civil society conference in October and a march to the Union
Buildings in Pretoria on the World AIDS Day (1 December).
The concern is that R4 million is being spent on a campaign that will not
make any difference in improving the response to HIV and AIDS.
It would have made sense if the money was being spent in activities that
save lives, whether by assisting in preventing new infections or providing
support for people with AIDS.
R4 million can buy more than 18 million male condoms or 500 000 female
condoms at current state prices. It can save lives by financing antiretroviral
treatment for 1 190 people for a year (current cost for providing first line of
drugs - stavudine, lamivudine and efavirenz - is R3 360 per person per
year).
Enquires: Sibani Mngadi (Spokesperson for the Department of Health)
Cell: 082 772 0161
Issued by: Department of Health
17 September 2006
