Mandela restores morale of AIDS conference.

PIP: During the 13th international AIDS conference in Durban, former president Nelson Mandela pulled the morale of the conference highlighting the need to confront the needs and concerns of those suffering and dying of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, mostly in sub-Saharan. He also stated that to challenge the grave threat posed by HIV and AIDS, efforts should be combined to save the people. This concluding remark was in direct contrast to the opening words of South Africa's current president, Thabo Mbeki, who failed to deal with the impression he has created internationally that he has doubts about the etiology of AIDS. In addition, the need to focus on the accessibility and affordability of treatment for HIV/AIDS or the opportunistic infections associated with it was highlighted. The conference focused on this issue with the help of AIDS activists, who emphasized that pharmaceutical companies needed to address how their drugs could reach those who most need them.^ieng

Mbeki appoints team to look at cause of AIDS.

PIP: South African president, Thabo Mbeki, hosted a meeting of more than 30 scientists for a 2-day discussion on HIV and AIDS, particularly on the etiology of AIDS. At least half of the members of the Presidential Advisory Panel on AIDS disputed the orthodox views on AIDS, and many of them do not believe HIV causes AIDS. At the end of the 2-day session, a four-person team was appointed (two ¿orthodox¿ scientists and two dissenting ones). This team and panel will work in a closed Internet session and will review scientific data and construct experiments to deal with questions that may yet be unanswered. The meeting took place against the background of a letter written by President Mbeki to President Clinton, Prime Minister Tony Blair, and several other world leaders, expressing his views on HIV and AIDS. Both in the letter and at the meeting, President Mbeki construed the reaction to his views as similar to the tyranny experienced by the oppressed in South Africa during the apartheid era.^ieng

Malaria epidemic expected in Mozambique.

PIP: Health experts fear epidemics of several infectious diseases in Mozambique as floods recede and mosquitoes begin breeding. According to Pierre Kahozi of WHO, malaria is already endemic in the region but there are fears that a much greater outbreak might occur. Scores of suspected cases of cholera were reported and more are expected, along with cases of other diarrheal conditions. Neil Cameron, chief director of communicable diseases at the health department in South Africa, said that more cases are expected within a month when the breeding cycle of mosquitoes is renewed. He reported that the number of malaria cases in South Africa increased from 12,000 in 1995 to 50,000 in 1999, and a number of people had been dying from this disease. The increase could be attributed partly to climatic changes and resistance to certain drugs. DDT had been used in the past to control mosquitoes, and it¿s possible that it will be used again in Mozambique. The issues involved in tackling malaria are now being considered as part of a special development initiative on infectious diseases that is being undertaken jointly by the health departments of three countries: South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland.^ieng

South African minister accused of human rights abuse.

PIP: South African Health Minister Dr. Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was accused of human rights abuse for refusing to supply zidovudine to all HIV-positive pregnant women. The accusations were laid by Dr. Costa Gazi, a South African doctor employed in the state health system with the Human Rights Commission. Dr. Gazi believes that supplying such a drug to pregnant women would be more cost-effective than facing the economic and humanitarian consequences of refusing to supply the drug. Meanwhile, the health minister's refusal was based on his doubt about the safety and efficacy of zidovudine. She said that findings of several trials of the drug used in the prevention of maternal transmission of HIV do not adequately show that zidovudine would be useful for South African pregnant women. Moreover, the toxic effects of the drug, particularly on their children, have not yet been sufficiently examined.^ieng