South Africa: Only Failure of AIDS Plan Is In Communication Says State

Recent and sustained criticism over South Africa's program to combat HIV/AIDS stems not from a lack of effort but a communications strategy failure, Themba Maseko, chief government spokesperson, said Thursday after a post-cabinet meeting.

The South African government was roundly criticized for its sluggish response to the country's HIV epidemic, widely considered one of the world's worst, at the 16th International AIDS Conference in Toronto. Recently, it also came under fire for delaying the funding of the HIV/AIDS awareness campaign Khomanani. Though the future of Khomanani remains uncertain, the health department has said the project will continue.

Maseko said the perception that the government does not care about those living with HIV/AIDS -- exacerbated by a decision by the correctional services department to appeal a court order to provide antiretroviral drugs to prisoners -- lacks merit. What is needed, he said, is a comprehensive strategy that communicates all facets of the government's HIV/AIDS campaign.

A statement released after the meeting said the "cabinet noted the impact of false allegations that were made at the International AIDS Conference about [South Africa's] comprehensive program." It said HIV/AIDS spending has increased from 30 million rand ($4.2 million US) in 1994 to 3 billion rand ($418 million US) in 2005-06.

"Cabinet decided that work should be done, locally and abroad, to enhance understanding of our comprehensive HIV/AIDS program to address any doubts about government's commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS," the statement said.

Treatment Action Campaign spokesperson and AIDS Law Project Director Mark Heywood acknowledged the government's plan is comprehensive. "But the problem is that it has not been implemented and that the Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, has continually frustrated the implementation of the plan by emphasizing only certain parts of the plan, such as nutrition and traditional medicine."

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