Posts
The president of the nation hit hardest by AIDS revealed on Sunday the results of his own HIV test."After careful consideration, I have decided to share my test results with South Africans," Jacob Zuma told thousands of people who attended an AIDS awareness event at Natalspruit Hospital east of Johannesburg. "My April results, like the three previous ones, registered a negative outcome for [HIV]."
Zuma cautioned, however, that his action should not be used to pressure anyone else to reveal his or her own serostatus. "Anyone's HIV status is private and confidential," he said. "Disclosure is an individual decision. We must respect the decisions of those who choose to keep their status confidential, whether positive or negative."
Zuma's dramatic announcement was yet another break with the policies of his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki. In addition to denying the link between HIV and AIDS, Mbeki delayed for years the broad distribution of antiretrovirals to South Africans with HIV. Zuma already had unveiled plans to treat HIV-positive pregnant women earlier to head off transmission to their babies, and he had decreed that all infected infants would receive treatment at public facilities.
Zuma's personal life has been a topic of controversy. He has three wives and recently fathered a baby out of wedlock. In 2006 when he was charged with raping an HIV-positive woman, Zuma was derided for saying he had showered after the encounter to prevent becoming infected. The charges were eventually dismissed. His aggressive response to the AIDS epidemic, however, has been welcomed across the continent.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
Together We Remain Strong!
