'Society crucial in HIV fight'
27/11/2007 20:03  - (SA)  

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Strategic Aids plan adopted Cabinet OKs national Aids plan Aids targets 'realistic'

HIV/Aids Special Report  Latest HIV/Aids News

Johannesburg - The SA National Aids Council (Sanac) urged on Tuesday civil society to play a more active role in the fight against HIV/Aids.

At a conference at Emperor's Palace near Johannesburg, Sanac adopted a strategic plan to respond to HIV/Aids challenges in the country.

Sanac deputy chairperson Mark Heywood said the meeting was about getting civil society to work together and not to railroad anybody into a position they did not support, and to agree on important issues.

"The implementation of the national strategic plan document depends on us. If we do not insist on policy change a million people who should not be infected with HIV/Aids will die," he said.

Senior researcher at the Aids Law project, Jonathan Berger, said: "The strategic plan is developed in a manner that it's not a government document. But it's for civil society, where time frames and targets are set to hold people accountable."

Heywood said the plan might not be perfect, but it was the best available, as it had been endorsed by cabinet.

The strategic plan functions under the areas of prevention; treatment, care and support; research, monitoring and surveys; and human rights and access to justice.

The implementation of the plan depended on both Sanac and civil society, said Heywood.

- SAPA

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