Saturday 21 March 2009

With tired backs we bring you gifts

She's at it again. Our revered Minster of Health is again lashing out at the foreigners, according to the Jakarta Globe (Minister Wary of Foreign ‘Attack’, although the print version has the headline 'Minister Attacks Foreign Funding', with the subhead "Paranoia? 'World will use our viruses or DNA do attack us'").

As I have noted before, her decree banning export of viruses and DNA samples has put the kibosh on the offer by Australia to detect HIV in babies within weeks of birth using dried blood spots. It is increasingly clear that very early diagnosis and immediate treatment can have a major effect on survival of babies born with HIV. The reported 'policy' of the Ministry of Health is to support early testing, but as yet no concrete steps have been taken to implement it. So you could say that the Minister's ban is costing lives - of babies. What a great record for a Minister of Health! She and Manto are a right pair! Except that Manto is no more Health Minister in South Africa. We'll have to wait until October to get a replacement.

Paranoia it may be, but this is also evidence of an increasing xenophobia. If I was alone in this feeling, perhaps I'd put it down to cantankerous old age. But none other than Endy Bayuni. Chief Editor of the Jakarta Post (and someone I particularly respect), referred to it exactly three years ago to the day, following the Jogjakarta earthquake (What's with this post-disaster xenophobia?).

One reported comment by the Minister is telling: "Trust me on this one, there is no such thing as free help. When people offer big money to help you, they undoubtedly expect to benefit from it," Supari said. This reflects a trait that I notice here; If someone offers help, it is assumed to be for their own benefit, and thus thanks are not required. Quite the reverse: the donor should be offering thanks if the gift is accepted. I wonder what she thinks the Global Fund will demand...

Babé

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