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ZACKIE ACHMAT TO SERVE ON PROVINCIAL AIDS COUNCIL
A meeting was held today of the Western Cape Provincial Aids Council which brings together government, the official opposition, business, non -governmental organisations (NGOs), People Living with AIDS, and AIDS activists. I am particularly pleased that the Leader of the Official Opposition in the Western Cape Mr. Ebrahim Rasool has agreed to serve on the Council, and I would also like to welcome leading AIDS activist Mr. Zackie Achmat. Creating consensus around the Western Cape's strategies against HIV/AIDS will be the main aim of the Provincial Aids Council but this does not mean that any of its members will be gagged or have their personal views scrutinised. With leading clinicians such as Dr. Mark Cotton and Professor Gary Maartens on board, we can be assured of the highest possible professional standards. In broad terms, we want to calibrate public and private sector efforts against HIV/AIDS.
At today's meeting in Cape Town our Deputy Director-General, Dr. Fareed Abdullah, discussed the Western Cape's HIV/AIDS strategies.
The members all supported a motion that a leading cleric should be approached to serve on the Council. Exact terms of reference will be decided at the next meeting, which should take place in about 3 months time.
Enquiries: Ossie Gibson 083 454 3736, Nick Koornhof 083 775 7618
Issued by the Office of the MEC for Health, Western Cape, 17 May 2001