This article is from CNN.com. It discusses South Africa's new health minister and the government's new policies on HIV and AIDS. The previous health minister and former president spent 10 years denying the link between HIV and AIDS. The former health minister also spread confusion to the people by saying home remedies would cure AIDS.
An estimated 6,500 new HIV infections occur daily worldwide, and 1,000 of the infections are in South Africa. Do you think the high numbers of infections in South Africa has to do with the government's view on HIV the last 10 years? Why would a government spread false facts and deny scientific evidence when their people are suffering?
Until reading this article, I was not aware there are people who have denied the link between HIV and AIDS. Obviously, no cure can be found if the origin is unknown or questioned.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/10/13/sa.hiv.ap/index.html?iref=newssearch
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3 comments:
Wow, I didn't even know South Africa had a Health Minister, probably because of how absurd the former one was! It sounds like the former Health Minister was denying Western medication, technology, and scientific research.
I think some people just don't like admitting something so horrible like all the HIV/AIDS evidence because it is just that: so horrible. Sometimes saying it outloud and admitting it is the biggest challenge. Of course, I am not defending the former Health Minister by any means, but I sure it angers many South Africans that they were not being told the truth because of an official's denial.
I bet there is some connection between the government's old view on HIV/AIDS and the extremely high amounts of people with HIV in South Africa. It makes me wonder that if the government had been responsible in the first place, how many lives could have been saved?
I was very surpised by this article. I feel terribly for the thousands of South Africans that were becoming infected with a disease because they really knew nothing about. I also think is very ignorant and irresponsible for governemental officals to have denied the link between HIV and AIDS.
But on a happier note I hope that the new Health Minister will be able to turn this situation around. It will be interesting to hear what the outcomes of the Mother-to-child prevention programs will help the country.
I think it is incredible that South Africa has been denying the link between HIV and AIDS for ten years. It is strange to hear how celebrated the people are who are finally admitting that HIV and AIDS are related. In the U.S. the first thing that one learns is that HIV leads to AIDS. It is weird to think that not everyone would accept this information.
However it is good that South Africa is finally acknowledging the link. It will hopefully help them educate their people better and prevent more people in South Africa from getting HIV/AIDS.
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