September 6, 2006

Scientists Demand South African’s Resignation

September 6, 2006—More than 60 of the world’s most prominent AIDS experts have sent a letter to South African President Thabo Mbeki demanding the resignation of Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang because of her opposition to antiretroviral drugs. The letter, signed by such notables as Nobel Prize-winner David Baltimore and HIV co-discoverer Robert Gallo, complained about the slowness of drug distribution in the country and criticized the Minister’s advocacy of garlic, lemon and beet treatments instead of medicine.