Madam Acting Speaker, it is horrific to learn that Aids victims are being buried alive in Papua New Guinea by relatives who cannot look after them and who fear becoming infected. It has been estimated by Sapa that HIV diagnosis has increased by about 30% a year since 1997, leaving an estimated 60 000 people in the area living with the disease in 2005.
South African statistics are just as horrendous. While statistics indicate that infection has increased, they also show that people are having themselves tested. We need to realise the possibility that people in many rural areas of South Africa might be just as ignorant as the people in Papua New Guinea.
The Aids campaign needs to be universal. We need to be factual about this disease and take as much information as possible back to the people. Good food is not a substitute for ARVs. This is the finding of an exhaustive study undertaken by top South African scientists on the links between improved nutrition and the treatment for HIV/Aids and TB. However, a balanced, healthy diet is important for optimum health.
We want to intensify education on the disease and steer victims away from the fallacy that they may omit ARV treatment in favour of beetroot and garlic. Thank you very much.