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AIDS expert warns of complacency

    JOHANNESBURG

    Complacency about HIV/AIDS treatment could become a new threat to South Africans, an AIDS risk-management specialist has warned.

    Dr Leighton McDonald, head of the HIV/AIDS division for health risk-management firm, Qualsa, said antiretroviral therapy had already led to a reversal of cautious sexual behaviour in some developed countries.

    McDonald's warning comes just weeks after the ministry of health was given a September deadline by the cabinet for urgent development of an operational antiretroviral treatment programme.

    He said the complacency reflects a perceived receding threat of HIV/AIDS due to the disease being transformed from a terminal illness into a manageable chronic illness.

    Local newspaper Business Day quoted McDonald as saying: "This situation could worsen when a vaccine is commercially available, as many people will feel they are totally protected and can embark on unsafe sex without any hazard to themselves."

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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