THE 60 international scientists who called this week for the resignation of Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang for her 'inadequate' and even 'lunatic' AIDS treatment programme ignore that SA is now one of the leaders in the developing world in providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment.
After three years of throwing money at AIDS treatment programmes while ignoring the vital task of prevention, the head of UNAIDS said this week that prevention was the key to defeating the AIDS pandemic. This switch of strategy is welcome, but raises serious questions about the competence of the UN high command.
AIDS is a tragic disease, killing millions and impoverishing millions more. But should people living with HIV/AIDS have a "right" to treatment, as was claimed by many at this year's International AIDS Convention?
When activists gather in Toronto for the 2006 AIDS summit to demand yet more money for the UN goal of treating 10 million sufferers, no-one will be admitting this figure is an educated guess, at best. This simple but avoided truth has massive implications for the way we fight the disease.
