Health activists, led by Zackie Achmat, founder of the Treatment Action Campaign, disrupted a sitting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health this morning, with the media present, because of government’s delay in addressing HIV/AIDS treatment.
According to the activists, the Department of Health and the Portfolio Committee did not sufficiently address the problems surrounding AIDS treatment, which arose due to the withdrawal of PEPFAR and USAID from South Africa.
Among other things, the activists shouted that people are busy dying in hospitals and clinics. They were subsequently removed from the meeting.
It, furthermore, appears that their frustration stems from the committee chairperson, Mr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and the Department’s alleged failure to respond and provide feedback to the activists’ inquiries regarding the issue.
Following the incident, the Portfolio Committee discussed the matter behind closed doors. The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) believes the ANC is to blame.
The public is obviously frustrated with AIDS treatment in public hospitals and clinics, and this protest action should serve as a wake-up call for government, the Health Minister, the Department and the Portfolio Committee.
The Committee has been discussing the situation surrounding the withdrawal of PEPFAR and USAID since the United States first notified South Africa of its decision. Nothing has been done about it, though.
The Department and the Minister as well as government on the whole failed to take timely action and implement alternative plans to ensure that HIV/AIDS programmes and treatment do not collapse.
Action must be taken at once. The problem and the public’s cries for help can no longer be ignored.
