Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

South Africa's AIDS epidemic has reached "shattering dimensions"
BBC ^ | 10-5-01 | Suppressed by the South African government - leaked to the Johannesburg-based Mail and Guardian

Posted on 10/05/2001 8:08:40 PM PDT by Neuromancer

AIDS 'Leading Killer' in South Africa

BBC (10.05.01) - Friday, October 05, 2001

South Africa's AIDS epidemic has reached "shattering dimensions" and accounted for one in four deaths last year, according to researchers. In a Medical Research Council report, suppressed by the South African government but leaked to the Johannesburg-based Mail and Guardian newspapers, AIDS is designated as the leading cause of death in the country.

"Without treatment to prevent AIDS, the number of deaths can be expected to grow within the next 10 years to more than double the number of deaths due to other causes," the report says. Unless AIDS is curbed, the report warns, the disease will kill somewhere between five and seven million South Africans by 2010.

The leak of the report comes at a time of growing unhappiness within the ruling party over President Thabo Mbeki's government's stance on AIDS. The health committee has now added its voice to calls for the release of the report in the interest of credibility.

Two weeks ago a document was leaked from South Africa's Health Ministry warning that millions of citizens would die of AIDS and recommending more widespread use of antiretroviral drugs, against official policy. The document questioned the morality of President Mbeki's approach.

South Africa is believed to have the highest number of HIV patients in the world -officially estimated at 4.7 million. President Mbeki has described poverty as the biggest threat and killer in South Africa and has expressed doubts both about the link between HIV and AIDS and the extent to which the disease has spread in South Africa.


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-138 next last
News from other Fronts:

Jakarta Post (09.30.01)

Irian Jaya has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in Indonesia. "The curve of HIV spread follows that of Papua New Guinea or the African curve; it has reached an alarming level," said Dr. Paul Crouch-Chivers, who works for the mining company PT Freeport Indonesia. Part of the speed of transmission can be attributed to the Irianese way of life. Doctors, health officials and nongovernmental organization workers say the male members of many local communities practice sexual activities such as exchanging wives, passing on widows to younger brothers and acquiring new partners. Also, sex without foreplay -which can injure the genitals -is a common practice. Heterosexual intercourse is the main means by which HIV is spread in the region.

Brazilian Women Ravaged By AIDS; Infection Rate Rises In Culture of Denial

Monday, October 1, 2001

Anthony Faiola

Although Brazil, Latin America's largest country, has one of the most progressive anti-AIDS programs in the world, women - and housewives in particular -are becoming infected at an alarming rate. A recent government survey showed that new AIDS cases reported among women shot up 75.3 percent from 1994 to 1998, compared with a 10.2 percent increase among men.
1 posted on 10/05/2001 8:08:41 PM PDT by Neuromancer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Neuromancer
bttt
2 posted on 10/05/2001 8:12:39 PM PDT by Don Myers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Don Myers
"It's just about sex. Sexual preference is my 'Choice'. It's nobody's bizness. Why hasn't Bush cured AIDS yet? It's his fault! Somebody get me Jonnie Cochran on the horn!"
3 posted on 10/05/2001 8:33:38 PM PDT by Benjamin Dover
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

To: Benjamin Dover
I understand from FOX news that one-third of the blood donated to help the WTC attacks victims was found to have STDs including AIDS. There is trouble right here in River City.
5 posted on 10/05/2001 8:48:49 PM PDT by Don Myers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Neuromancer
"Without treatment to prevent AIDS . . . ."

What treatment? What planet do these guys come from, who write these articles? There's no medical treatment to prevent AIDS, and condoms are almost useless as well. The only known way to prevent AIDS is not to have sexual relations with people who have it. I.e., abstinence.

6 posted on 10/05/2001 8:53:20 PM PDT by Cicero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #7 Removed by Moderator

Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: Ron Fletcher
Gay Americans are hugely responsible for the spread and ravages of AIDS. But of course we shouldn't think less of them for it. And ABSOLUTELY we shouldn't say anything against them.

In Africa where AIDS is most widespread, straight heterosexuals are hugely responsible for the spread and ravages of AIDS. But of course we shouldn't think less of them for it. And ABSOLUTELY we shouldn't say anything against them.

9 posted on 10/05/2001 9:00:56 PM PDT by Jorge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: all
Just wondering, why has AIDS never really developed in the Middle East?
10 posted on 10/05/2001 9:01:23 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Neuromancer
just like clinton....they can't control their weiners!
11 posted on 10/05/2001 9:02:10 PM PDT by rockfish59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: HKUSP9mm
And it could so easily be avoided.
12 posted on 10/05/2001 9:03:16 PM PDT by Don Myers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Neuromancer
Gee, where are they getting it from...the air? Can't these people keep it in their pants?
13 posted on 10/05/2001 9:09:33 PM PDT by goodieD
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: MinorityRepublican
Just wondering, why has AIDS never really developed in the Middle East?

What makes you think it hasn't?

15 posted on 10/05/2001 9:21:15 PM PDT by FITZ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Neuromancer
What a strange report - it has no information content.

How many people in South Africa died from AIDS last year?
What rate of growth is assumed for the 10-year "figure"?
How much money do they want (and from whom)?

Noting that the diagnosis of AIDS in the USA is defined politically instead of scientifically (see CDC home site), what diagnostic procedures did they use in South Africa and how did they establish AIDS as the cause of death in remote villages?
16 posted on 10/05/2001 9:25:53 PM PDT by balrog666
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MinorityRepublican
Just wondering, why has AIDS never really developed in the Middle East?

Under strict Islamic Law, adultery is punishable by death.

17 posted on 10/05/2001 9:59:03 PM PDT by Ceebass
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: balrog666
Those are questions for thinkers. Not very many of those people around anymore. Thanks to the UN.
19 posted on 10/05/2001 10:24:55 PM PDT by B4Ranch
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: abwehr
One would also surmise that since there is a coverup in nonwhite run South Africa, the problem is not in the white community there.
20 posted on 10/05/2001 10:30:07 PM PDT by wattsmag2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-138 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson