lodges complaint with South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)
13 June 2007
The National Association of People Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPWA) has
today lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission in
Johannesburg. NAPWA is demanding the Commission's intervention into the
granting of social grants to all HIV positive people by the Department of
Social Development.
The thrust of NAPWA's complaint is that they want the policy on social
grants reviewed so that all people who are HIV-positive can receive social
grants. Currently the policy does not provide for HIV positive people who are
"healthy" and whose CD4 count is above the level specified by government. In
addition to the above complaint, NAPWA is calling for the scrapping of
deregistration of those whose CD4 has improved and are therefore considered
"healthy".
In line with its constitutional mandate the Commission has undertaken to
take up the matter with the Department of Social Development. The Commission
also notes the gaps that exist in the state's provision of social services, for
example, the provision of school feeding schemes, which recognises that
children cannot study on an empty stomach. This is an important principle which
derives from section 27 of the Constitution which states that everyone has the
right to have access to sufficient food and water.
The Commission feels that this is an important matter, which should be
debated. Similarly it could be argued that the same principle of access to food
could be applied to all people living with HIV and AIDS, who should not take
antiretrovirals (ARVs) on empty stomachs.
Enquiries:
Lorraine Molepo
Tel: 011 484 8300 ext 2092
Fax: 011 643 6472
Cell: 072 011 3621
Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
13 June 2007
