/ 30 November 2005

Speak out about Aids, IFP tells Mbeki

<img src=''http://www.mg.co.za/ContentImages/257998/special_rep_icon_template.jpg'' align=left>Stop fence-sitting and speak out about HIV, the Inkatha Freedom Party told President Thabo Mbeki on the eve of World Aids Day. ''Come off the fence ... admit the high-profile people who are dying of HIV and become a role model for openness,'' IFP health spokesperson Ruth Rabinowitz said on Wednesday.

Stop fence-sitting and speak out about HIV, the Inkatha Freedom Party told President Thabo Mbeki on the eve of World Aids Day.

”Come off the fence … admit the high-profile people who are dying of HIV and become a role model for openness,” IFP health spokesperson Ruth Rabinowitz said on Wednesday.

This year’s World Aids Day on December 1 has two themes: Stop Aids. Keep the Promise and Stop Aids. Make the Promise.

Rabinowitz also had words for Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.

”Drop Dr [Matthias] Rath and work with all the international donors who are longing to assist you to fight the epidemic. Provide more tests, nevirapine for pregnant women and give the provinces autonomy to roll out the anti-retroviral process.”

She called on donor organisations not to work only with and through the government.

”Find a way to fund and hold accountable NGOs that have no link with the ruling party.”

Rabinowitz urged South Africans to hold the government accountable.

”Get involved and make sure you use your power through the ballot box,” she said.

The World Aids Campaign (WAC), which is behind World Aids Day, runs from 2005 to 2010 and wants to ensure that the promises and commitments made by a number of international, continental and regional agreements are fulfilled.

The Declaration of Commitment on HIV/Aids, signed in June 2001 by 189 heads of state and government representatives, is a long list of firm commitments to respond to Aids that leaders pledged to fulfil. With the new campaign themes, the WAC is now moving beyond raising awareness and is advocating for social and political change.

South Africa will join the rest of the world under the national theme A Nation Caring for Life. An event will be held at Kings Park Stadium in Durban.

The WAC was started in 1997 by the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/Aids and is now an NGO based in The Netherlands, to raise awareness around the world about key issues regarding HIV/Aids.

The campaign aims to be nationally driven and civil-society led.

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World Aids Campaign