Below is a letter from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to South African President Thabo Mbeki regarding the firing of South Africa's deputy health minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, pictured at left.
Read today's scathing New York Times editorial - "Firing an AIDS Fighter" - on this outrage here.
Read the Treatment Action Campaign's statement on the matter here.
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President Thabo Mbeki August 13, 2007
South African Consulate General, Chicago
200 South Michigan Ave, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
Via Facsimile: (312) 939-2588
Dear President Mbeki:
In solidarity with the millions of South Africans living with HIV/AIDS, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is writing to voice our deep concern regarding your recent dismissal of South Africa’s Deputy-Minister of Health Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge.
We commend Madlala-Routledge for leading the fight against HIV/AIDS in South Africa with a scientific and proactive approach. She has been outspoken about the efficacy and necessity of antiretroviral drugs and has set an important example for the people of South Africa by publicly taking a voluntary and confidential HIV test. Madlala-Routledge has proven instrumental in enacting recent legislation to fight the epidemic, including the launch of the National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections for 2007 to 2011 and the re-launch of the South African National AIDS Council.
Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s promotion of nutrition and traditional medicines in place of proven-effective antiretroviral treatments not only stands in contrast to overwhelming scientific evidence, but undermines Madlala-Routledge’s efforts. With the dismissal of Madlala-Routledge, the world is forced to question the South African Government’s commitment to a vigorous, evidence-based approach to HIV/AIDS.
We urge you to prioritize sound and humanitarian public health policy and to put the health of your people first. As South Africa has one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the world, fighting HIV/AIDS must remain a prominent issue for your administration.
Sincerely,
Mark Ishaug
President and CEO
References:
The Kaiser Family Foundation, “The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in South Africa” Fact Sheet, June 2007: http://www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/7365_03.pdf
South Arica’s Treatment Action Campaign (TAC): www.tac.org.za
South Africa Department of Health: www.doh.gov.za
UNAIDS, South Africa Country Page: http://www.unaids.org/en/Regions_Countries/Countries/south_africa.asp
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