HIV is not a gambling game-SAMA

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is disappointed at the Western Cape Premier Helen Zille's unfortunate announcement of the "Get tested and Win campaign" and is urging the public to resist this temptation and not be enticed by politicians offering money for HIV/Aids testing.

Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Head of Public Sector Committee at the association said this campaign undermines the poor, medical professionals and all the hard work that has gone in de-stigmatising HIV in South Africa.

"We do not support this campaign which was done without consulting doctors and which is playing an unfortunate role in reducing the seriousness of HIV to a mere competition," she said.

Premier Zille is offering a R50 000 incentive to one lucky winner who will be tested at one of the province's testing points between November 28 and December 9.

 "It is an inappropriate and medically unethical campaign that Premier Zille has started , and we will not stand by and watch her set us back in all the hard work that we have done in de-stigmatising HIV as medical professionals in South Africa," Said Ramathuba.

SAMA is urging politicians to look at the real reasons that keep people from testing and that is the stigma attached to HIV instead of quick fixes and therefore demands Premier Zille to withdraw the campaign.

SAMA stands by and encourages Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) which is also guided and endorsed by Government policy and Premier Zille's campaign does not mention counselling but in fact stands on luring people alone.

"This Campaign sends out an inappropriate message that HIV is only among the poor, and we all know that this disease is non-discriminatory," she added.

SAMA is questioning the commercialisation of HIV and health in general and is also concerned about the sustainability of the campaign.

"What happens after the final draw? People must be encouraged to test for their own health and not for money and that is the lasting solution to HIV," Ramathuba concluded.

The South African Medical Association (SAMA)

Statement issued by Dr Phophi Ramathuba, Head of SAMA's Public Sector Committee, November 28 2011

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