The previous administration, headed by Thabo Mbeki, was harshly criticized for their controversial views on HIV/AIDS. Mbeki was in staunch denial that HIV was caused by a virus but that it was caused by malnutrition and allergens. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, Mbeki's health minister, was criticized for offering up "traditional" remedies such as beetroot soup to replace Anti-retrovirals (ARVs).
During his 2007 trial for the alleged rape of an HIV positive prostitute whom he had unprotected sex with, Zuma claimed that he had taken a cold shower to protect himself against HIV. In sharp contrast to the previous administration and Zuma's past views on AIDS, Zuma gave a speech on the Parliament floor announcing the ANC's new stance on AIDS and the fight against it in South Africa.
In an excerpt from the speech taken from the NY times article "Zuma Rallies S. Africa to Fight AIDS", Zuma said:
"All South Africans must know that they are at risk and must take informed decisions to reduce their vulnerability to infection or, if infected, to slow the advance of the disease. Most importantly, all South Africans need to know their H.I.V. status, and be informed of the treatment options available to them."
Speech Transcript
Other salient points:
"There should be no shame, no discrimination, no recriminations. The stigma surrounding Aids has to be broken."
Speech Transcript
Other salient points:
"There should be no shame, no discrimination, no recriminations. The stigma surrounding Aids has to be broken."
These are all things that prevent people from receiving the treatment that they need. There is a mysteriously high rate of death due to "the flu". Due to the stigma associated with having or dieing from the disease, people will not reveal their status nor will it be revealed as the cause of death.
"South Africa had very impressive awareness levels about HIV/Aids, well over 95%. We should now seriously work to convert that knowledge into a change of behaviour."
"South Africa had very impressive awareness levels about HIV/Aids, well over 95%. We should now seriously work to convert that knowledge into a change of behaviour."
This is huge given that he comes from a culture that frowns upon condom use and circumcision; which are two of the most effective ways to limit the spread of the disease. A common, yet sad, belief of many of the people of that culture is that having sex with a virgin is a cure to the disease.
"Knowledge will help us to confront denialism and the stigma attached to the epidemic,"
Denialism was the mantra of the previous administration.
The following are chilling facts about South Africa:
- 57% of deaths of children under the age of 5 were AIDS related
- The death rate is on course to surpass the birth rate (the death rate jumped 32% from 573000 to 756000 in the past year compared to 1 205 111 births in the same amount of time.
- The life expectancy of a South African male is 9 and 19 years less than Senegal and Nigeria respectively
Supposing that Zuma and the ANC mean what they say and are not just providing lip service, South Africa has the opportunity to continue on its path of growth and leadership of the sub-Saharan countries. The general population also needs to overcome their ignorance that stems from strongly held cultural beliefs and laziness. If they don't take responsibility for the AIDS battle, South Africa has a very bleak future.
It's scary to think how many people this disease has affected around the world. The stigma attached to it probably makes it more difficult for people to seek the treatment they need.
ReplyDelete