Independent Democrats Statement on slow rollout of Anti-Retroviral Drugs
2004-11-08. Government originally stated that 53000 HIV positive persons would be on Anti-Retroviral (ARV) drugs by March 2004. This target was then shifted by President Mbeki to March 2005. This morning, Dr Rose Malumba from the Dept. Health, said on SAFM that this new target set by Pres. Mbeki, would also not be achieved. It is not even clear when we will reach this target.
In the latest Treatment Action Campaign updated report, less than 10
000 people are currently receiving ARV treatment in SA at public health
facilities. At this rate, the Plan will fall far short of the
target announced by President Mbeki of 53,000 people on treatment by
March 31, 2005 a target that is already more than 100,000 people less
than that proposed in the Plan.
The Limpopo Provincial Health Department claims that their ARV rollout plan is on the internet. This is a blatant lie. Tintswalo Hospital in Limpopo can put 200 people on ARV's tomorrow but they do not have the drugs. In Kwazulu Natal, hospitals have been instructed to postpone requests for ARV's by a year.
Only the Western Cape, Free State and Gauteng have made their rollout plans available. The question is, When will the other six provinces be in a position to make their rollout programmes available?' Health workers constantly complain of weak management, lack of political will and a shortfall of drugs. Only 2000 of South Africa's 20 000 doctors, know how to administer anti-retroviral drugs.
The tender system of the National Department of Health has hindered the process with its slow procurement of ARV's. Drug procurement should not be an obstacle to increased access because provinces can and are making use of the interim procurement process which came about after TAC threatened legal action.
"It is clear to the Independent Democrats that the government plan is not performing as a result of bureaucratic and financial bottlenecks. The program will rapidly lose credibility if these bottlenecks are not addressed. The ID calls on the government to address these serious problems so that health professionals can perform their duties and South African lives can be saved," said Patricia de Lille, Leader of the Independent Democrats.
For further information contact Patricia de Lille, Leader of the Independent Democrats, on 083 303 8352
Issued by Thulani Sithole, ID Media Officer: 084 233 3811
The Limpopo Provincial Health Department claims that their ARV rollout plan is on the internet. This is a blatant lie. Tintswalo Hospital in Limpopo can put 200 people on ARV's tomorrow but they do not have the drugs. In Kwazulu Natal, hospitals have been instructed to postpone requests for ARV's by a year.
Only the Western Cape, Free State and Gauteng have made their rollout plans available. The question is, When will the other six provinces be in a position to make their rollout programmes available?' Health workers constantly complain of weak management, lack of political will and a shortfall of drugs. Only 2000 of South Africa's 20 000 doctors, know how to administer anti-retroviral drugs.
The tender system of the National Department of Health has hindered the process with its slow procurement of ARV's. Drug procurement should not be an obstacle to increased access because provinces can and are making use of the interim procurement process which came about after TAC threatened legal action.
"It is clear to the Independent Democrats that the government plan is not performing as a result of bureaucratic and financial bottlenecks. The program will rapidly lose credibility if these bottlenecks are not addressed. The ID calls on the government to address these serious problems so that health professionals can perform their duties and South African lives can be saved," said Patricia de Lille, Leader of the Independent Democrats.
For further information contact Patricia de Lille, Leader of the Independent Democrats, on 083 303 8352
Issued by Thulani Sithole, ID Media Officer: 084 233 3811
