Activists call out SA govt for not taking stern stance on ‘medical xenophobia’

JOHANNESBURG - Some civil society groups have called out the South African government for not taking a stern stance on what they’ve termed "medical xenophobia".

This follows a series of instances where members of Operation Dudula removed foreign nationals from health facilities because of their nationality status.

The chairperson of the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), Sibongile Tshabalala, said the acts have been going on for too long.

She was speaking at the opening of the 12th SA Aids Conference, hosted at Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni on Monday.

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She added that South Africa has been noted as one of the countries with the highest number of cases for infectious diseases, including HIV/Aids and sexually transmitted diseases (STIs).

“When we sing from Cape to Cairo, from Morocco to Madagascar, when we say we are from Azania, we need to stand for that, and we are looking up to you as leaders to correct what is wrong on the ground.”

She said government needs to take a stance to stop the internal conflicts that happen on the ground on this issue.

“There are some political parties within the GNU [Government of National Unity] that are perpetuating and supporting the medical xenophobia, and we cannot sit back - it’s not okay.”

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi responded to the call, saying the criticism is received and government will act decisively.

‘VOICE OF COMMUNITIES NEED TO BE HEARD’

Some civil society groups have accused political figures of silencing the challenges communities face over HIV/AIDS and STI infections and treatment.

An entourage joined Tshabalala on stage, carrying placards that read, "We demand long-acting solutions for HIV, invest and empower youth leadership and stop the cuts of global fund."

This comes as the Donald Trump administration cut HIV/AIDS programmes in South Africa, risking a rise in infections and a lack of treatment.

Tshabalala said, “Empowering communities means they have an independent voice to express opinions. The voice of communities need to be heard, must never be influenced or riddled by politics or to be intimidated in any way. This is what we are starting to feel on the ground.”