South Africa Turns a Corner
South Africa embarks on a new National Strategic Plan.
South Africa aims to cut new HIV infections by 50% by the year 2011.
In a move that has been lauded by critics, the South African government has unveiled a new, comprehensive plan to reduce the number of new HIV infections by 50%, by the year 2011. As part of this plan, antiretrovirals and care will be provided to 80% of those infected, 70% of the population will be tested for HIV, and the transmission of the virus between mother and child will be reduced to less than 5%.
This new plan is a far cry from what has previously been touted by the South African government. In the past Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang has been the focus of many activists’ scathing attacks as her actions have done much to undermine the AIDS efforts. Her insistence on promoting natural remedies , such as the use of garlic and lemons, over antiretroviral drugs and her unwillingness to take action has hampered the AIDS efforts in South Africa.
It is no wonder then that Tshabalala-Msimang has had no part in this new National Strategic Plan. Tshabalala-Msimang has been away from her post due to illness. In her place, the acting Health Minister, Jeff Radebe, and the Deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, have provided much of the needed push behind this new initiative. Since being assigned to his post, Radebe has made a concerted effort to repair partnerships and work cooperatively with AIDS groups, including the influential Treatment Action Campaign.
A central piece of the National Strategic Plan will be prevention. The government has made it clear that providing antiretroviral drugs to its population indefinitely is not sustainable. By focusing on prevention, the hope is that the number of new infections will begin to decrease. The preventive plan will not only focus on encouraging young people to delay their onset of sexual activity, but will also focus on those factors which contribute to unprotected intercourse and the spread of AIDS. Specifically, resources will be committed to gender equality, addressing poverty, and to curbing the spread of HIV through drug use.
This new focus and energy of the government has come at a crucial time for South Africa. With South Africa’s wealth and resources, AIDS has been a blight on the country in the post-Apartheid era. However, with this new initiative, South Africa could be a positive role model for other countries grappling with AIDS.
