We Cannot Surrender the HIV Battle to the Next Generation

GOOD Statement by Kaden Arguile, GOOD National Youth Chairperson

South Africa’s battle against HIV and AIDS is a long-term one. Since this country’s conception, we have invested time, resources and vital medical facilities in the pursuit of the eradication of this virus in its entirety from our shores. It has been three months since Trump’s United States cut medical funding within the country. And yet, our government is still to announce any countermeasures. With our current inaction we are steadily retreating from this battle with no plan in sight.

Trump’s cuts have resulted in 12 facilities throughout South Africa being shut down. These facilities range from clinics for those suffering from the virus as well as antiretroviral facilities where medical support is offered in the form of medicine. The Non-Profit Organisations were treating approximately 63,000 patients and 220,000 patients have had their medication supply disrupted. Before these cuts, 2 out of the 8 million persons living with HIV were already not on treatment. This number will only increase as access is cut off with no countermeasures.

The sad reality is that the most vulnerable in our society are the most impacted by these cuts. Those in poverty, women, sex workers and those who identify as transgender all have less chance of getting life saving treatment. We must wake up to reality and begin funding partnerships with these NPO’s while we work on a permanent, government led and countrywide, initiative to ensure the eradication of this virus from our shores in this generation.

If we choose the path of inaction we doom the next generation to rectify our failures. The virus is passed down to the carrier’s children. More infections will result in more children carrying this life-threatening virus through no fault of their own. No amount of education or safety matters in a country where treatment is not possible.

GOOD calls on government to immediately address the issue in its reality. We can either wait until data shows us the obvious or work proactively to develop countermeasures to support the South African’s who have lost medical access. These measures must be multi-faceted and inclusive for all.

We urge government to take the following steps:

1. Establish connections with the shut down clinics and assist with providing funding or a new partnered model.
2. Immediately implement a focus on developing HIV and AID’s medical facilities either through the planned NHI or in its own separate initiative.
3. Release to the public the drafted plan to rectify this crisis which also ensures public participation

If these steps are followed, we have a chance at stopping the virus from spreading at a faster rate. Our government has already justified billions in rand to our airlines, mines, powerplants and railways amongst others. Life-saving medication as well as facilities deserve that financial injection just as much as private businesses or SOE’s.

Our citizens lives are on the line. We may be losing this battle, but we cannot lose the war. Ignoring this ticking time bomb only dooms the next generation to more death and despair.

GOOD Crisis Response: The party advocates for effective responses to national crises, such as pandemics.

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