Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, long accused by health activists of not doing enough to combat the spread of AIDS and resisting the use of anti-AIDS drugs, said far too little was known about the side-effects of the drugs.

"I don't want to be pushed or pressurized by a target of 3 million people on anti-retrovirals by 2005," said the health minister in reference to the global target set by the World Health Organization and UNAIDS.

"WHO set that target themselves. They didn't consult us. I don't see why South Africa today must be the scapegoat for not reaching the target," a defiant Tshabalala-Msimang said at a news conference on progress in implementing health programs.

In a progress report published in January, WHO said that by the end of 2004, about 700,000 people in developing countries were taking anti-retrovirals. It has set a goal of 3 million people by the end of this year and indicated that South Africa is one of the key countries that could derail the drive.

South Africa has the highest number of infected people in the world. At the end of 2003, 5.3 million people carried the virus, according to U.N. figures. An estimated 600 to 1,000 people die every day. The number of recorded deaths increased by 57 percent in the five years ending in 2003, largely because of the impact of AIDS-related diseases.

Under huge public pressure, South Africa in November 2003 approved a plan to provide free AIDS medicines to all who need them in five years.

It initially set a target to treat 53,000 people by March 2004, but those plans have now fallen by the wayside and the health ministry refuses to commit itself to any new targets. Some 42,000 people are now being given anti-retrovirals in the public health sector, according to figures released by Tshabalala-Msimang on Thursday.

South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign, which has fought several court battles with the health minister over anti-retrovirals, estimates 500,000 South Africans urgently need treatment.

"It is not about chasing numbers. It is about the quality of health care we provide for our people," Tshabalala-Msimang said.

"It doesn't work just to dish out anti-retrovirals just because they are available," she said, saying an efficient health system, trained health workers and equipped laboratories were vital to the success of any anti-AIDS drive.

Tshabalala-Msimang is often called Dr. Garlic by her many critics for her habit of singing the praises of garlic, olive oil, lemon and beet root.

"Raw garlic and a skin of the lemon -- not only do they give you a beautiful face and skin, but they also protect you from disease," she said, adding that beet root was also a vital ingredient in any diet.

Studies have demonstrated that while good nutrition is an important component of care for HIV patients in boosting their overall health and strength, it is no substitute for anti-AIDS drugs. It is the medication that keeps people alive and tends to make them thrive, research has shown.

In addition to highlighting the benefits of good nutrition, Tshabalala-Msimang stressed the risks of anti-retrovirals.

"When we were being pressurized to use anti-retrovirals, we did warn of the side effects," she said. "When I get reports of people on anti-retrovirals, nobody reports to me how many have fallen off the program or died of the side effects. I don't know what happens to those who started on anti-retrovirals."

"All I am bombarded about is anti-retrovirals, anti-retrovirals," she said. "There are other things we can be assisted in doing to respond to HIV/AIDS in this country."

Scientists have found that while there are side effects to the drugs, such as nausea, diarrhea, rashes and abdominal pain, those are far outweighed by the benefits of treatment.

© 2005 Associated Press/AP Online. All rights reserved.
© 2005 Daily News Central. All rights reserved.