South African Government Approves AIDS Drugs For Sexual Assault Victims
By Mike Cohen, Associated Press Writer
Originally published by The Associated Press, April 17, 2002
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — In a major shift in policy, the government announced Wednesday that sexual assault victims would be given access to AIDS drugs.
The government had long argued that the drugs' safety remained unproven, and ignored pleas that they be provided to rape victims.
But in a statement following its Wednesday meeting, the cabinet said it would try to provide sexual assault victims with a comprehensive care package, including counseling and testing for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy and HIV.
"Survivors will be counseled on the use of antiretrovirals (AIDS drugs) as a preventive drug for HIV so that they make an informed choice," the cabinet said. "If they so choose, they will be provided with such drugs at public health institutions."
A national protocol on the provision of AIDS drugs for sexual assault victims also would be released soon, said the cabinet, which did not specify what prompted them to change their policy.
"It's good news beyond belief," said Zackie Achmat, chairman of the Treatment Action Campaign, an AIDS activists group. "Common sense has prevailed … we applaud the government for doing the right thing."
The cabinet said a presidential task force on AIDS would also be established under Deputy President Jacob Zuma, and would examine ways to strengthen anti-AIDS programs.
Earlier Wednesday South African hospitals and clinics were given the go-ahead to dispense a key AIDS drug that can help prevent HIV-positive women from passing the virus on to their children at birth.
The government had argued that the safety of the drug nevirapine remained unproven and tried to restrict its distribution to 18 pilot sites, despite studies showing it could reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission by up to 50 percent.
AIDS activists successfully sued the government to force it to extend distribution of the drug. The government has appealed the ruling.
The health department estimated last year that 4.7 million South Africans—one in nine—were HIV positive, more than any other country in the world. The government has come under fire for not doing enough to combat the epidemic.
The cabinet denied this, saying a total of $89 million had been budgeted for anti-AIDS programs in the current financial year, a figure which would rise to $161 million in 2004.
