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RELEASE OF MRC REPORT ON AIDS-RELATED MORTALITY IN ADULTS, 16 OCTOBER 2001
In response to requests for comment on the release of Medical Research Council's study on AIDS mortality, we would like to highlight some points we made when the first press reports on the research appeared some weeks ago.
Firstly, government departments are not dismissive of the MRC's research. We have consistently referred to the study as an important contribution to a body of research that can help us understand HIV/AIDS challenges more clearly. However, we viewed it as unacceptable that this study might be released to the general public before Cabinet had been given an opportunity to discuss it.
We have also pointed out that the MRC research is not absolutely definitive and its mortality rates are estimates rather than exact calculations because they rest on various assumptions. The MRC has acknowledged this limitation which is, of course, an inherent problem in HIV/AIDS research in this country because of the scarcity of empirical data. Various government and research institutions are working at increasing our pool of empirical data but this is a gradual process.
In the light of the difficulties relating to AIDS research, we strongly support an approach that draws together various studies and uses these in combination to guide policy and inform the public. The Interdepartmental Task Team on Mortality Statistics (comprising Stats SA, the MRC and the Departments of Health, Home Affairs and Social Development) was set up precisely to achieve this kind of co-ordination. Contrary to insinuations in the media, the Task Team is not there to suppress information. But it does remain firm in its view that has responsibility to ensure national decision-makers can debate critical policy-shaping research before this is released publicly.
Pali Lehohla - Statistician-General
Ayanda Ntsaluba - Director-General of Health
Inquiries:
Connie Muvunyi (Statistics SA) - 082 455 7825
Jo-Anne Collinge (Health) - 082 787 0202
Sibani Mngadi (Health) - 082 772 0161
Requests for radio and television interviews should be directed to Statistics SA
Issued by Statistics SA and the Department of Health, 16 October 2001