De Lille in anti-aids drive
2004-04-04. The leader of the Independent Democrats, Patricia de Lille, and her party's premier candidates will simultaneously go for public HIV/Aids tests at 11am tomorrow.
De Lille said she and Professor Themba Sono, the ID's premier candidate
for Gauteng, would go to Baragwanath Hospital.
Said De Lille: "South Africa is moving from an HIV into an Aids pandemic.
"The first step to effectively counter this pandemic is for South Africans to know their HIV status and to be empowered to take preventative measures."
There was still widespread confusion among people because there was a complete failure of leadership by President Thabo Mbeki and health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who continued to obfuscate the issue.
"Yet an Aids pandemic remains the greatest threat to the health and stability of our country.
"As a political party we must set the example to counter the stigma that exists around the HIV issue. We must break the silence."
Sapa
Said De Lille: "South Africa is moving from an HIV into an Aids pandemic.
"The first step to effectively counter this pandemic is for South Africans to know their HIV status and to be empowered to take preventative measures."
There was still widespread confusion among people because there was a complete failure of leadership by President Thabo Mbeki and health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who continued to obfuscate the issue.
"Yet an Aids pandemic remains the greatest threat to the health and stability of our country.
"As a political party we must set the example to counter the stigma that exists around the HIV issue. We must break the silence."
Sapa
