cosatu statement on HIV/AIDS

Statement by COSATU Central Executive Committee on the
Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) – 26 April 2001

COSATU’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) at its
meeting today welcomed Zackie Ahmet and Mark Heywood,
Chairperson and Secretary of the Treatment Action Campaign
(TAC) for a discussion on how to take forward the campaign
for affordable treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The CEC agreed that last week’s court case victory against
the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PMA) was a
critical step toward establishing a legal framework for making
medicines in South Africa affordable. It was also an important
victory of activists, poor people and people with HIV/AIDS
over corporate abuse of power.

The CEC recognised that this victory was only possible
because of a superbly organised global effort and the
dedication of thousands of volunteers. COSATU
congratulated and thanked all their allies and supporters for
their contributions.

There is however also agreement that a long battle still lies
ahead before affordable medicines are accessible to all those
who need them. If steps are not taken immediately to
implement the Medicines and Related Substances Amendment
Act, the victory could prove to be a hollow one.

The whole of civil society has to share the responsibility for
taking the campaign forward. COSATU demands that
employers, especially the big corporations, provide free
treatment to those of their workers and their families who are
living with HIV/AIDS. We also demand that insurance
companies, banks and medical aid schemes end all
discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS.

But the government has a special responsibility to give a lead.
COSATU will be government's firmest supporter when it
does the right thing, such as introducing the Medicines Act,
but we will be its sternest critic if it fails to meet its
constitutional duties to protect life and dignity. Particularly
concerning are the continual delays in implementing a
countrywide mother-to-child transmission prevention
programme and the lack of a treatment plan.

The government must:
· Immediately implement the Medicines Act;
· Immediately promulgate the regulations required under
the Act;
· Begin implementing a countrywide mother-to-child
transmission programme without further unnecessary
delays;
· Immediately apply for voluntary licenses on essential
generic medicines;
· Invest more money into AIDS prevention
programmes and include treatment as part of the
prevention message;
· Develop a treatment plan by 16 June, which will
outline how treatment will be made accessible to all
South Africans with HIV/AIDS, opportunistic and
sexually transmitted diseases, and will commit the
government to increased health-care spending.

Linked to these measures, the government must urgently
introduce a comprehensive social security system, to end the
poverty and hunger which contribute to the spread of
HIV/AIDS and makes its treatment far more difficult.

The pharmaceutical companies must act in good faith and not
hamper the implementation of the Medicines Act. They may
be represented in discussing the Pricing Committee
regulations, but civil society, particularly TAC, other AIDS
groups, health-care workers and labour must also be
represented and have greater influence, as they represent the
majority of our people.

An important lesson from the PMA court case has been that
global solidarity on social issues is immensely powerful. We
would not have won so easily and quickly without global
mobilisation. Issues of concern to all poor countries must be
combated with a united front.

The next big battle is Brazil’s legal battle in the World Trade
Organisation with the United States pharmaceutical companies
who want to stop the Brazilian government doing the same as
the South African government is trying to do. The South
African government must issue a statement of support for
Brazil.

COSATU’s objectives are to get treatment for people with
HIV/AIDS in the context of building a quality health-care
service. We will use all means at our disposal to achieve these
aims, including:
· Highlighting the issue of affordable treatment on May
Day, 1 May, and Youth Day, 16 June;
· Writing a joint letter with TAC to the Minister of
Health, setting out our demands;
· Organising an AIDS Walk to raise money and
awareness;
· Sending an office-bearer to Brazil to convey our
solidarity and negotiate for the importation of cheap
antiretroviral drugs;
· Convene an Alliance summit meeting to discuss the
treatment plan;
· Work with fellow trade unions in the Southern African
region.

For further information please phone Theo Steele, Cosatu
Campaigns Coordinator, on 011 339 4911

Siphiwe Mgcina
COSATU Spokesperson

[email protected]
082-821-7456
339-4911

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