The Future of HIV in South Africa 2014
At the Rotterdam School of Management MBA students Michel Janssen, Ivan Quinlan, Lucian Toia and Sesh Samuel have as part of their assignment for the course New Global Business Environment looked at the future of HIV in South Africa in 2014. To download their full report in PDF please click here.
Introduction
The spread of the HIV/AIDS is becoming a major social problem with current estimates of infection rates in excess of 20% of the South African population. It is estimated that the number of South Africans infected may peak at about 7.7 million by 2007. The government is conscious of the problem and official HIV/aids spending will be doubled for 2004/05 following growing pressure both internationally and domestically, but the HIV problem will certainly remain a major issue for South Africa.
Scenarios
Apocalypse: HIV/AIDS Crisis in South Africa
It is now 2014 and every year from now on 450,000 South Africans will die from AIDS. The disease has reduced life expectancy in one of Africa's richest countries, to 38 years. Current estimates reckon that some 48% of South Africa's population is now infected with HIV, the precursor to AIDS. Despite these numbers, ANC governments starting with the one of Thabo Mbeki in 2004 have been largely inactive in dealing with the growing epidemic and they have displayed an absolute complete and total failure to deal with this phenomenon. Had Mr. Mbeki and his party acted effectively against this signs of potential crisis in 2004, the disastrous level of HIV infection would certainly have been avoided.
Purgatory: An existence between heaven and hell
In 2010, due to the well publicised high mortality levels caused by AIDS and the positive effect of more young people deciding to postpone sex, stick to one partner and take tests before having unprotected sex, the infection rate among the adult population decreased to 22 percent. On account of our education programmes the social stigma of AIDS diminished, but the enormous pressures on the education and health systems remained. Despite some tough years, however, significant financial and technical cooperation from richer countries ensured that recovery programs were maintained. The South African Government prided itself on keeping the overall prevalence rate below other African countries and became evermore resilient in controlling the disease.
The Garden of Eden
Much of the struggle against AIDS has been won through a partnership approach. In 2005, the government successfully re-launched the Partnership against AIDS. This was a broad based multi-sectored approach towards fighting the disease, that helped to deal with a disease that affected every sector of our society and this time involved large company and community based involvement.
Companies were encouraged to provide protection, education and treatment to employees. Many companies supported this wholeheartedly and saw the programme as being beneficial also to their ongoing business continuity.
Community based clinics were increased, to provide greater primary healthcare and a focus on preventative healthcare. Many of these clinics were subsidized by foreign investors, governmental and non-governmental, who were heartened by South Africa’s head on approach to tackling the issue. Foreign investors in combination also set up many HIV aids orphanages with government run programmes. Today South Africa’s health and social care systems boasts free healthcare to all children under 18 years and the right to free education. Until 2008, free primary healthcare was only available to children under 5yrs.
Deliverance
My brave South Africans, you volunteered en masse to donate your bodies for the purposes of testing and so for the common good of all mankind. It is thanks to your actions from 2009 to 2014, that the Food and Drugs Administration has in January 2014 approved the usage and distribution of Hivokloryn Metaxis the wonder drug which immunises against HIV and which causes HIV and AIDS victims to recover to the virus free zone within 14 days of receiving the drug. It is thanks to you my fellow South Africans that the price for Hivokloryn Metaxis has been fixed at an affordable level whereby all of the citizens of South Africa and the World may receive the drug and enjoy its life preserving effects. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for you courage and bravery.