Yesterday evening at the Centre of the Book: Podiums discussion about ” A new South African HIV/AIDS policy: Reason for HOPE?.
Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, Deputy Minister of Defence (1999-2004) and Deputy Minister of Health (2004-2007) and Chris Bateman, Senior Editor of the SA Journal of Medicine and myself are discussing the new policy and the role, politics and civil society must play so that the new HIV/AIDS policy becomes reality. An interesting debate about the possibilities and limitations of the New South Africa and its leaders, but also the misery and burden of ordinary South Africans. The questions of the audience give room for a brought debate from trips to the bilateral German – South African agreement versus a contribution to the Global AIDS Fund, but also practical question how hope can be brought to certain communities and a perspective on life worth living and striving for.
An interesting evening where also the president’s life and the topic “leading by example” was not spared some honest comments. Last but not least the question why South Africa pays 20% above the cheapest market price for ART medication produced by Aspen and all the red tape stopping to make cheaper and more meaningful solutions possible.
Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, Politics and Society, Aids, Aspen, Chirs Bateman, Global Aids Fund, hiv, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, people living with the virus, policy, south africa, zuma
God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE 