South African HIV/AIDS activists have condemned an invitation by Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang to a leading AIDS dissident to address regional health ministers later this month. "For the health minister to invite someone who has been castigated by the medical profession for his belief that HIV does not cause AIDS only reinforces our suspicion that Tshabalala-Msimang has failed as minister of health," Sipho Mthathi of the Treatment Action Campaign told Plusnews.
SOUTH AFRICA: Activists challenge invitation to HIV/AIDS dissident
JOHANNESBURG, 9 January (PLUSNEWS) - South African HIV/AIDS activists have condemned an invitation by Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang to a leading AIDS dissident to address regional health ministers later this month.
"For the health minister to invite someone who has been castigated by the medical profession for his belief that HIV does not cause AIDS only reinforces our suspicion that Tshabalala-Msimang has failed as minister of health," Sipho Mthathi of the Treatment Action Campaign told Plusnews.
Roberto Giraldo has been invited to address the health ministers' forum of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Pretoria on 20 January.
"It is irresponsible of government to give this dissident such a prominent role in a battle that now seems to be the source of great confusion for people living with HIV/AIDS ... we find it very disturbing," spokeswoman for Medicins Sans Frontiers, Marta Darder, said.
Another South African HIV/AIDS lobby group, the National Association of People living With HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) told Plusnews that while the group welcomed Giraldo's views on "nutrition being the key element in effective HIV management", the doctor should not allow his ideas to create confusion for people already struggling to cope with HIV/AIDS.
"Tshabalala-Msimang is creating great confusion among people living with HIV/AIDS by losing herself in the controversy that Giraldo will once again create at this address ... she should be concentrating on the mobilisation of effective HIV/AIDS strategies instead," Mthathi added.
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