ARV Drugs and other necessary drugs no longer imported in to S Africa.

Today, 5th June, I was talking by phone with Nancy in South Africa and also to Khanya, her daughter. They told me that the all important, life saving Anti Retro-Viral drugs are no longer imported into the country.

This is having a devastating effect on our children who rely on being able to take these drugs on a daily basis, for their very survival. One of our young teenagers is terminally ill with the AIDS Virus and is in immense pain and is suffering greatly and there is nothing we can do.

The drugs she needs are no longer available and any others are £90 per month for life. This family consisting of an aged grandmother and 13 children have no income and neither Nancy nor I are in a position to help.

It is heartbreaking to think of the suffering of these innocent children. I feel so helpless at being unable to help more.

Nancy, herself, is in terrible pain with her legs and feet and is once again using crutches to enable her to walk. She is terrified of going back into a wheelchair. The drugs she was prescribed were helping then suddenly as with the Anti Retro-Viral drugs they are no longer imported into the country.

Her next appointment with a specialist is not until September and she has been told there is absolutely no chance of getting an earlier appointment. So, in the meantime, she has to continue to suffer and at the same time see to the needs of all the children who depend on her on a daily basis.