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Affordable treatment for Zimbabweans living with HIV/AIDS is essential - GALZ writes to President Bush
Keith Goddard, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ)
November 09, 2001

The President of the United States of America
George W Bush
The White House,
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President

I write to you from the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) in Harare, Zimbabwe regarding our real fear that you may rescind the Presidential Executive Order which stated the American government's commitment not to interfere with initiatives of compulsory licensing and parallel importation of essential life-saving drugs for people living with HIV and AIDS in Africa and in other disadvantaged parts of the world.

That we need access to affordable treatment cannot be questioned. At present, HAART costs the equivalent of fifty thousand Zimbabwean dollars (US$863). Most of those infected by HIV in Zimbabwe earn less than two thousand Zimbabwe dollars a month (US$35.00). Clearly, they are not in a position to pay for the quality of treatment affordable to those in the United States and Europe.

We are also in desperate need of drugs to treat opportunistic infections. Whilst some are available, they are expensive and often hard to come by.

Thousands of people are dying in Southern Africa every week and there is no reason for them to do so. We are organised. We have the technology locally to produce drugs cheaply. We also have the infrastructure for administering treatment and monitoring patients. Our domestic legislation supports us through the Patents ACT and Copyright Act. The legal research is complete. All we need now is your commitment to support our hard work.

Africa is known internationally as the helpless continent of disease, death and disaster. But here is a clear example of how Africans are taking up the initiative by making a concerted and positive effort to help ourselves. This is not the trampled seeking hand outs but the proud needing international support for their courageous battles. We have taken up the war against HIV with vigour and determination which must be recognised and acknowledged.

In the past, we appreciated the American government's recognition of our efforts; now it seems that the richest and most powerful may once more try to seal the fate of the weakest, poorest and most vulnerable.

Support and encourage our right to produce cheap generic versions of life-saving drugs for people living with HIV and AIDS and our right to parallel importation of the same.

Support and encourage our continuing efforts in the development of infrastructures for the administering of life-saving drugs, the development of drug trials and the monitoring of patients.

You are in a position of tremendous power. Use your power to fight against this terrible plague. Do not use it against those who fight for the right to life and the right to health and well being. HIV and AIDS is a global catastrophe; America is in the position to do something good, memorable and worthwhile in the world. Let such wisdom, compassion and understanding be your finest legacy.

Yours sincerely

Keith Goddard
AIDS Treatment Action Campaign (ATAC)/ GALZ

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