World AIDS day to serves new start for South Africa in fighting the epidemic

By Martin Williams

JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- South Africa, one of the countries which have the highest HIV infections rates in the world, will embarks on a new approach to fighting the epidemic as the country is preparing itself to mark the World Aids Day on Tuesday.

Former President Thabo Mbeki, who held controversial views on HIV, was known for his low-key responses to the annual event. This time it's different. The South African government has issued a statement, saying the 2009 World AIDS Day which falls on Dec. 1, "heralds a new era in the country's collective effort in the response to HIV and AIDS".

The theme for this year's World AIDS Day in South Africa is: "I am responsible, We are responsible, South Africa is taking responsibility".

The Treatment Action Campaign, the country's largest AIDS monitoring group, estimates that 5,6 million people in South Africa are infected with the HIV virus.

Last month, The Lancet medical journal in Britain said South Africa is carrying a huge part of the global AIDS burden. On Nov. 11 this year, South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told Parliament: "We are 0.7 percent of the world population, but we are carrying 17 percent of its HIV/AIDS burden. When you take the global average of HIV/AIDS, the country is 23 times the global average."

He said the figures were shocking. "As to whether it has been affected by what we did in the past 10 years, to me that's obvious...I don't think we'd have been here if we'd approached the problem in a different way."

"It's a really obvious question. Yes, our attitude toward HIV/AIDS put us here where we are," he said.

Today South Africa officially marks a decisive break from past attitudes. The government statement said "The theme encourages everyone in South Africa from individuals, communities, businesses and the government to take personal and collective responsibility to stop new HIV infections, provide care and support to those living with HIV and to ensure access to treatment for all people in need."