KARABO NTANZI
Treatment Action Campaign(TAC) calls on Department of health to launch investigations with regard to an alleged Antiretrovirals(ARV’s) Syndicate.
This comes after two 54-year-old accused, a female employed at a funeral palour in Kimberley and an unemployed male were arrested in possession of ARVs in Welkom, in the Free State. They were expected to apply for bail at the Welkom Magistrate Court on Friday 26 April.
It is suspected the ARVs were taken from one of Health facilities in Kimberley.
TAC believe that there are certain officials within Department of Health across the country who are working with criminals on trading with ARVs.
Free State police followed a lead and stopped a silver Mercedes Benz with a Northern Cape registration numbers. The vehicle was searched and two small containers of antiretroviral tablets were discovered. They found 43 bottles of ARV medication with 1218 tablets estimated to the value of R10 000. Two suspects, a man and a woman on ages of 54 were arrested and are suspected that they were going to sell them in Welkom.
Human Rights Activist and Treatment Action Campaign Secretary General Anele Yawa urged police to work hard to arrest the syndicate including health department officials. “We are pointing fingers on Department of health turning a blind eye on an alleged visible syndicate of ARVs smuggling. Many lives are lost due to irresponsible behaviour of ARVs smuggling. We have noted many cases where score of recipients in the rural areas defaulted due unavailability of ARV treatment in their Clinics,” he said.
He said some recipients on ARVs subsequently dies as a result of unintentional defaulting. “The Department of health must engage with Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and Hawks to to investigate the matter thoroughly. We want to see those smugglers syndicate brought to book,” he commented.
According to TAC, South Africa has one of the largest ARV (Antiretroviral) treatment programs in the world.
ARV treatment is primarily used for the management of HIV/AIDS, a significant health issue in the country. Through health facilities government provides ARV treatment to about 8 millions people living with HIV/AIDS.
“The program has expanded significantly over the years, reaching many individuals in need of treatment. Efforts have been made to make ARV treatment more accessible, with treatment centers, clinics and hospitals set up throughout the country. This allows individuals to access testing, counseling, and medication easily,” said Yawa.
Police said the two suspect are facing a charge of suspected stolen tablets.
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