South Africa and the Aids Epidemic

South Africa and the Aids Epidemic

Political Chaos and Denial among the responsible … Where is the South African Government?…And what about the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers?... There is no surprise for the US reaction…

Nowhere in the world is the HIV/AIDS epidemic more widespread than the continent of Africa. For South Africa, political disturbance and government denial has fed an epidemic that has reached catastrophic proportions. As the numbers of infected and dead continue to rise, the impact on the people of South Africa and the entire world is growing.

South Africa’s past is tainted with apartheid. The HIV/AIDS epidemic emerged in South African around 1982. However, the country had bigger problems caused by racial horrors, so the HIV problem was for the most part ignored. Mainly because of the slow reaction of the government the disease spread and by the mid-90s, HIV rates had increased by 60 percent and became a public health disaster.

Corruption and poor oversight have undermined South Africa's fight against HIV/ Aids. A five-year HIV/AIDS plan outlined in 2000 by the South African Department of Health got little support from South African President Thabo Mbeki. After consulting a group of scientists, Mbeki rejected conventional HIV science and instead blamed the growing AIDS epidemic on poverty. He was saying that prostitutes, migrant laborers, the ill-educated, and victims of sexual abuse are more likely to be infected by HIV. This statement was maybe not totally wrong since it mentioned a group of people that have a higher mortality rate across the board. But his stand had an impact on the whole health system and it certainly hurt all the efforts of the medical circle, because he was questioning the link between HIV and AIDS, a popular argument made by the Aids denialists.

Today, experts around the world believe that a combination of political unrest, poor government support and political denial has inflamed HIV and Aids in South Africa.

Like many countries with an out-of-control HIV problem, South Africa's economic, racial, and ethnic diversity makes prevention and HIV education very difficult.

South African government should launch a prevention campaign targeting young people, with hotlines, HIV clinics, youth centers and health clinics. This project would need the government’s focus and support especially after the launch since it requires financial and human resources, where there is a shortage of both.

Most infected South Africans do not get the HIV care they need. The vast majority of HIV-infected people are poor and their only chance at care is the government-sponsored public health sector. Unfortunately, public health care resources are scarce. There is little or no access to quality medical care, HIV testing, or, most importantly, HIV medications. South African government should pursue a campaign which recognizes the importance of regular HIV care and provide basic HIV medications to those in need.

Since the introduction of HIV medications, people are now living long, productive lives despite their HIV infection. Unfortunately, the cost of HIV medications is an obstacle for the poor and many African nations still can't afford to treat their citizens.

While manufacturers claim patents on all HIV medications and with that claim offer unaffordable drugs, companies in other parts of the world offer generic versions for far less. Major manufactures in the U.S. want to block generics from being offered, claiming patent rights. To circumvent the debate, African officials are ready to declare a national emergency, paving the way to receive unauthorized generics from other, smaller manufacturers.

American companies hold the patents on the HIV medicines. Most people in most African countries can't afford to buy the drugs at these prices, so they buy them on the black market, in violation of the U.S. patents and international treaties. The pharmaceutical manufacturers ask the U.S. government to enforce the patent treaties... and they have power over the government. The pharmaceutical companies play big role in campaign finance and their support gets many members of the House of Representatives elected. There are serious consequences for poor African nations if U.S. Department of Commerce puts them on a watch list. That will be the first step towards trade sanctions and American Congress could end all aid to these countries.

While discussions continue between pharmaceutical manufacturers and South African governments, even the public is torn apart. Some show understanding for the drug companies, but humanitarian groups all around the world carry the flag of the affected nations.

The supporters of the argument made by the pharmaceuticals have certain comments:

“Drug