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Manto revises her Aids mantra
26/09/2006 20:41 - (SA)
Ray Faure
Johannesburg - Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said on Tuesday said that good nutrition was not a substitute for medical treatment for HIV/Aids, but that it helped in maintaining optimal health.
Clarifying her advocacy of particular fruits and vegetables for people with HIV/Aids - for which she has been strongly criticised in the past - the minister said nutrition helped to prolong the progression from HIV infection to the development of Aids-defining illness.
"What we are saying as the government is that we have this major challenge of HIV and Aids, let us make sure it does not worsen by first and foremost preventing further infections.
Promoting healthy lifestyles
"We thereafter say that for those who may be living with HIV, let us prolong for as much as we can, the progression from HIV infection to development of Aids-defining conditions.
"Let us maintain good health. We do this by promoting healthy lifestyles - regular physical activity, avoiding health-risk behaviours like smoking, alcohol and substance abuse and unsafe sexual behaviour."
She said the government acknowledged the serious challenges with regard to the nutritional status of the country's population and approved various interventions such as food fortification, school nutrition, vitamin supplementation for pregnant women and children.
"HIV, in particular, puts additional nutritional demands on the body and we have to make extra efforts to meet these demands.
"That is where we emphasise the use of a number of fruit and vegetables that provide particular vitamins and other micronutrients necessary in dealing with conditions associated with HIV and Aids.
"We treat opportunistic infections because many of them can be successfully treated even in the presence of HIV and Aids."
She said the government made antiretrovirals (ARVs) available for those with a CD4 count of 200 and below in facilities that had been accredited to provide this treatment. These facilities were available in all districts and had been extended to more than 70% of local municipalities to ensure that there was equitable access to this service.
According to the minister, there has been extensive research on the Mediterranean diet and its health benefits, particularly with regard to garlic and olive oil.
"Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties, lemon is a source of selenium and vitamin C and the benefit of beetroot with regard to anaemia is also well documented," she said.
'Not a substitute for medical treatment'
"The message should not be lost that we want every person in the country to eat a balanced and nutritious diet and maintain good health.
"For those living with HIV, we are saying that good nutrition will help in prolonging progression from HIV infection to development of Aids-defining illness.
"It is not a substitute for medical treatment, but it helps in maintaining optimal health. It is also a foundation for effectiveness of many medical interventions," said Tshabalala-Msimang.
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