SAHARI acknowledges with interest the words of SAHPRA CEO Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela at the press conference today: “It’s important to note that Sahpra has listened and heard what people have been saying about Ivermectin. The programme will be open to all patients. We will review every application as it comes through,” she said.
SAHARI, a 60 000 strong civil society advocacy group for Ivermectin access, says while controlled compassionate access announcement by SAHPRA is one step in the right direction, it is inadequate during a devastating pandemic. Founder Shabnam Palesa Mohamed said "In the public interest, we oppose complex, lengthy and expensive S21 applications. We have no clarity on urgent supplies, which are being monopolized, and we refuse tender corruption with companies that fund political campaigns. We look forward to analysing SAHPRA's guidelines, which must uphold the right to health, and empower our health care professionals. We further believe that SAHPRA should directly engage with SAHARI as the largest Ivermectin advocacy group globally."
The following 10 key questions, among others, are raised by our members, and must be addressed by SAHPRA:
1. Is SAHPRA aware that the C19 viral load is highest before the symptom stage, which spreads Covid-19 among our people?
2. Does compassionate access mean critically ill patients in hospital, when there is evidence Ivermectin prevents Covid19?
3. Why must S21 applications be enforced, given the right to health and individuals’ sovereign right to choose treatment?
4. What kind of additional capacity does SAHPRA have to approve applications within 30 minutes, given the death rate?
5. If approval is delayed or denied, will SAHPRA respect informed consent under the Helsinki Declaration (Article 37)?
6. Is SAHPRA willing to engage in a public participation process in shaping its Ivermectin guideline document campaign?
7. Will SAHPRA report daily via its platforms on its Ivermectin progress and its impact on C19 infection and death rates?
8. How will the updates on Ivermectin access be provided to the masses who do not have access to SAHPRA’s platforms?
9. IS SAHPRA engaging with the www.FLCCC.net group of specialists on Ivermectin, including former South African, Dr Paul Marik?
10. Will SAHPRA share which companies are registered to import/compound Ivermectin, and advise who has applied?
We draw SAHPRA’s specific attention to this website quote from the NIH: “Ivermectin has continually proved to be astonishingly safe for human use. Indeed, it is such a safe drug, with minimal side effects, that it can be administered by non-medical staff and even illiterate individuals in remote rural communities, provided that they have had some very basic, appropriate training. This fact has helped contribute to the unsurpassed beneficial impact that the drug has had on human health and welfare around the globe.” In this light, we demand that our hospitals, clinics, community centres, mobile clinics, and enabled nurses, be allowed urgent access to Ivermectin, as many cannot afford doctors.
SAHARI’s petition has almost 50 000 signatures, which will be delivered to SAHPRA, DoH, and others. SAHARI supports sound legal action by individuals, groups, and organisations it is affiliated to. It is also collating affidavits from the public on the impact of Ivermectin on their health. SAHARI’s Civil Society Action Coalition continues to mobilise for protests to ensure our country is never again brought to its knees to beg for the right to physical, mental and economic health. Today SAHPRA cast one tiny pebble into the wave, the tsunami will soon arrive.
For Transformative Health Justice
Shabnam Palesa Mohamed
SAHARI Founder and Spokesperson
Activist, Journalist, Mediator (LLB) 27 January 2021