The South African Medical Association (Sama) on Wednesday endorsed President Jacob Zuma’s HIV/Aids strategy.
”Sama commends President Jacob Zuma on his bold announcement of the change in HIV policy and management,” the organisation said in a statement.
”Sama has always held the view that our approach to Aids management must change if we were to make progress.”
On Tuesday, Zuma outlined changes to the country’s HIV policy, including treating all HIV-positive children under the age of one. In addition all people with both TB and HIV would receive treatment if their CD4 count was 350 or lower. The CD4 count threshold was previously set at 200. CD4 count is used as an indicator of how sick a person with HIV is.
”Whilst more people will receive treatment, we hope fewer and fewer will become infected. Aids needs a multi-pronged approach, the most effective being minimising the risk by changing behaviour and practising safe sex,” read the statement.
On Tuesday, World Aids Day, the African National Congress welcomed Zuma’s announcements on HIV/Aids.
”Not only does the policy change portray the ANC-led government as caring but it demonstrates its commitment to effectively fight the pandemic,” ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said.
”We are happy to see concrete steps be undertaken by the government, which come into effect in April 2010.”
”We believe that this will go a long way to decreasing the deaths of pregnant women who are HIV positive, and protect unborn babies,” Mthembu said.
Zuma’s call to depoliticise the pandemic should also be applauded, he said. — Sapa