KZN clamps down on unscrupulous advertisers

THE Department of Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, and KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Senzo Mchunu, addressed members of the Provincial Aids Council recently where a number of issues were discussed, including a tough stance against false advertisers who use national media to make untested claims that they can cure HIV Aids.

Creating a permanent and unified front against HIV is what the Provincial Aids Council, along with various role-players such as members of cabinet, academics, mayors, traditional leaders, traditional healers, NGOs, civil society and the general public, have agreed to do.

The council has examined the progress it made in establishing Ward Aids Committees, district and local aids councils. According to the council these are very crucial structures that have ensured that the management of HIV, Aids and TB programmes and decision-making is brought closer to the end-users.

The council said it has evaluated how far its gotten in developing effective mechanisms to engage communities as partners in the rollout of the programme against HIV, Aids and TB, adding it succeeded in establishing better links between health professionals involved in this programme, volunteers, leaders and local communities.

Ways of improving Aids awareness campaigns, as well as health promotion activities, have also been discussed.

A campaign on treatment adherence, as well as testing and counseling for confirmed HIV patients, has been made top priority.

It has been agreed, by the council, that campaigns aimed at young people will be intensified.

The KwaZulu-Natal HIV and Aids Council has resolved to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at clamping down on unscrupulous individuals purporting to have a cure for Aids.

The council has agreed unanimously to work with relevant authorities to curb this deadly practice, which has the potential to wipe out the entire nation.

The council said despite government’s message that there is no cure for Aids, the mainstream media continues to flight adverts that are misleading, which may lead to people indulging in unprotected sex.

The council’s greatest concern is that those on anti-retroviral therapy will default and eventually develop drug-resistant viral strains, which will have devastating consequences.

The council agreed to work with the Broadcast Complaints Commission, Independent Communications Authority of South Africa and Standards Authority of South Africa to remove advertisements of scientifically untested and unapproved medicines for curing Aids.