South Africa: Good leadership needed

South Africans living with HIV/AIDS have once again had a horribly confusing year, thanks to Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s promotion of those who denounce antiretroviral drugs. The most memorable alliance the Minister made this year was with the internationally discredited German vitamin salesman, Dr Matthais Rath, who claims that his vitamins can “reverse AIDS”. The Minister’s persistent refusal to denounce the Rath Foundation’s activities has resulted in the Treatment Action Campaign and SA Medical Association resorting to the courts this week to try to force her and her Director-General, Thami Mseleku, to “take measures against [Dr Matthais Rath’s] illegal activities”.