Parliamentary News 15 July 2003

ACDP Parliamentary newsletter

While Parliament is on recess with ACDP MP's away in their constituency
offices around South Africa, news from Parliament will be sent out once a
week.

This week's Topics:

1.The theatrics of Aids treatment
2. Providing antiretroviral treatment makes sense
3. Will SA benefit from $15bn Aids grant?
4. Overcrowded prison problem can be solved

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1. The theatrics of Aids treatment

African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley

The government's description of the TAC's leaking of the joint
Health/National Treasury Task Team report as 'theatrical', does not disguise
its own attempts at snatching the credit for providing HIV/Aids treatment,
says ACDP health spokesperson Cheryllyn Dudley.

"The TAC may have been dramatic in getting the report results out, but the
government's game of delay tactics and excuses for why they have not rolled
out a treatment programme is no better," Dudley said.

"The fact that this report was completed four months ago and Cabinet have
yet to deal with it is despicable. Surely the 1.7 million lives that can be
saved by providing this treatment must at least vie for their attention?

"The main stumbling block now seems to be the government's jealousy over who
will get the credit for a treatment programme and a distinct reluctance to
eat humble pie. Government's concern about who gets the credit is pitiful,
yet understandable with the elections around the corner and many parties
vying for theatrical awards," Dudley said.


For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307


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2. Providing antiretroviral treatment makes sense

African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley

Delays in starting an antiretroviral treatment programme are unjustified and
do not make sense economically, says ACDP spokesperson on health Cheryllyn
Dudley MP.

"Although we have given the government the benefit of the doubt in being
cautious about rolling out a treatment programme, there is no better
available option and HIV positive people need that choice," Dudley said.

The ACDP has consistently called for the provision of antiretrovirals and
has been involved in the provision of HIV treatment for the prevention of
mother-to-child transmission and to rape survivors since 1997.

"It took more than three years for the government to acknowledge the success
of this treatment and even now this type of treatment is not being implanted
adequately. We would not like to see a similar situation where
antiretroviral treatment is only implemented at public health facilities in
a few years' time.

"Providing these drugs to those who are HIV positive will prove cost
effective in the long term as they allow sufferers to live a better quality
of life and be more productive. Treatment costs are offset by a reduction in
hospitalisation costs, fewer demands on primary medical care and a reduced
burden on health-care workers.

"The value of giving people a few more years to take care of their families
should not be underestimated," Dudley said.

For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307

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3. Will SA benefit from $15bn Aids grant?

African Christian Democratic Party MP Cheryllyn Dudley

While US President George W Bush's $15bn grant to fight HIV/Aids globally is
welcome, it remains to be seen whether South Africa will benefit from this,
says ACDP spokesperson on health Cheryllyn Dudley.

"It is difficult not to be sceptical in view of the government's track
record in handling global funding for HIV/Aids," said ACDP MP Cheryllyn
Dudley after South African President Thabo Mbeki welcomed George Bush's
pledge during their meeting in Pretoria yesterday.

The US strategy involves improving HIV/Aids awareness, developing health
infrastructure and providing antiretroviral treatment.

"Not only will US emphasis on providing antiretroviral treatment challenge
the government's existing policy, but the their commitment to abstinence
campaigns and policy on the prohibition of federal funding of abortion is
bound to create conflict in South Africa," Dudley said.

Dudley plans to ask the Minister of Health what plans are in place to
respond to the pledged grant and whether the department of health is ready
to respond quickly as promised by President Mbeki yesterday.

"We would also like to find out how the department will come up with
proposals for spending this grant and whether NGOs and CBOs will be invited
to submit proposals," Dudley said.

For more information: Cheryllyn Dudley MP at 082 890 6520
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307

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4. Overcrowded prison problem can be solved

African Christian Democratic Party MP Steve Swart

Addressing the high number of awaiting trial prisoners can solve the problem
of prison overcrowding, ACDP spokesperson on correctional services Steve
Swart said on Tuesday.

"We agree with Justice Hannes Fagan that non-violent people should not be
kept in prison merely because they cannot afford bail. Many people that
should not be in jail, are creating a backlog in the criminal justice
system.

"The social cost of locking up those who are presumed to be innocent until
proven guilty in these 'universities of crime' is inestimable. They just sit
idly without receiving instruction or attending courses, wasting their
lives. Besides losing their employment or schooling, the cost to the state
is enormous," Swart said.

According to Swart, there were 187 748 prisoners in prisons designed for 110
874 as at March this year. This included 58 144 awaiting trial prisoners, of
which 19 592 could not afford bail, and were not considered a danger to
society.

"The problem of overcrowding is further exacerbated by the privately-run
Apops / PPS prisons in that they may not be overcrowded. We thus sit with
two prison worlds in SA. The very modern PPS prisons and the appalling
overcrowded other state prisons."

According to Swart, alternatives such as restorative justice, rehabilitation
programmes and juvenile offender diversion programmes can offer solutions.
Restorative justice seeks to include crime victims in programmes that allow
them to explain to the offender the effect that the crime has had and then
work towards restitution for the harm caused.

"Offenders are held accountable for their actions and even though they may
have limited financial resources, some form of repayment to the victim or
community service is considered," Swart said.

"Other approaches such as the Integrated Justice System, as well as the
pre-trial services project that are operating in Port Elizabeth, go a long
way to reducing the number of awaiting trial prisoners. It is a pity that
these projects have been shelved in certain other provinces following a
cutback in donor funding."

For more information: Steve Swart MP at 083 285 6290
Media Liaison: Charmaine Horne at 084 370 3550 or 021 403 3307

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