Manto fights on for garlic
2005-06-28 14:40
Special Report
The South African government has announced a joint venture to reduce the cost of anti-retroviral drugs with a Swiss company.
Pretoria - Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang says South African HIV patients should be given the option to turn to traditional forms of medication as an alternative to antiretroviral treatment.
She said garlic in particular was a key ingredient in the fight not only against Aids but also a range of troubles including influenza.
It was particularly useful in fighting bacteria and fungus "in the intestines and in the vagina".
She was speaking at a news conference of the social cluster ministers at the Union Buildings on Tuesday morning.
Tshabalala-Msimang, who has come under repeated fire for her rapport with Aids dissidents who believe vitamin treatment can fight Aids, said: "Reports from provinces suggest a total of 50 009 patients have been started on antiretorival treatment, in accordance with policy guidelines."
Emphasising that 80% of patients at state hospitals and clinics visited traditional healers before they came to the state for care, she said patients should be given the option of going the traditional medicine route.
She emphasised the traditional method "is cheaper" than the Western antiretroviral treatment route. "Give patients a choice," she said.
- I-Net Bridge (News24)