By Stephen Bevan
Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge has criticised the government's shortcomings in tackling HIV and Aids, saying both President Thabo Mbeki and Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang must bear some responsibility for confusion over the correct treatment for the virus.
Interviewed for a British newspaper, Madlala-Routledge criticised those who promoted traditional medicines as an alternative to conventional drug treatment.
"What has happened in South Africa, which is sad and tragic... people are confused about treatment... and this has come about because of the confusing messages coming from the very top.
'... it was irresponsible of leaders to say people have a choice' "If I use the example of traditional medicine, I think it was irresponsible of leaders to say people have a choice... because how do those people choose when they don't have the knowledge that is backed up by science?
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"It is absolutely irresponsible to say to people who are desperate, who want to live, 'Oh, go to your traditional healer if you want', because what traditional healers do we know of who know how to treat Aids? I don't know of any in my country."
Asked if she included the president and the health minister in her comments, Madlala-Routledge replied "yes".
Expressing concern that high-level decisions were generating confusion, she noted that Mbeki's recent appointment of Professor Herbert Vilakazi as chairperson of a "task team" on traditional medicine might contribute to this, if its role was not clearly defined.
"You see, in relation to the president himself, he has recently announced a task team on traditional medicine and for me there's nothing wrong with that, as long the task team understands its duty is to research or to assist in research on traditional medicine.
"But if there is a (misunderstanding)... that the task team is saying people can use traditional medicine, that is a problem, because what brings about that concern for me is that Vilakazi is chairperson of the task team on traditional medicine and...
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