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Press statement issued by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

To receive future press statements go to http://gate.cosatu.org.za/mailman/listinfo/press

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COSATU appreciates Wits’s pledge

COSATU expresses its appreciation to the University of the
Witwatersrand for committing its support to the Treatment
Action Campaign against the closure of the Johannesburg
Hospital HIV/Aid clinic.

The federation views the closure of the clinic as a ‘punch
below the belt’ to the Johannesburg HIV/Aids sufferers,
especially in an area where an alarming number of infected
people live.

It is also extremely unfortunate that this happened when we
thought we were on the right track in the battle against this
disease following the court victory against the Pharmaceutical
companies.

COSATU would like to reiterate that that victory will be
meaningless unless all sections within our society commit
themselves fully to the battle and join hands in intensifying the
battle against HIV/Aids – as we did during the Pretoria High
Court protest for cheaper medication.

The University’s pledge of support to this cause is an
illustration of its commitment to the HIV/Aids sufferers –
something that COSATU salutes. We hope this sets an
example to other training institutions.

We call upon the Johannesburg Hospital CEO, Mr Pillay, and
the Gauteng MEC for Health, Dr Gwen Ramakgopa, and the
head of the AIDS Directorate in Gauteng, Dr Liz Floyd, to
give their full support to Wits University in this matter.

For further information, please contact Theo Steele,
COSATU Campaigns coordinator, on 011 339 4911.

Siphiwe Mgcina
COSATU Spokesperson

[email protected]
082-821-7456
339-4911