The National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union, recognises that we are living with HIV/AIDS directly and indirectly. The HIV/AIDS epidemic threatens the social and economic fabric of our society and could undermine the gains of our democracy. The poorest and the most vulnerable of our society, particularly the working class women and youth are worst affected by this epidemic as we experience death everyday, not withstanding the rise in the newly infected people. It is apparent that without treatment, HIV progresses at accelerated rates into AIDS.

We also reiterate our belief that:

* Scientific evidence is sufficient to support the efficacy efficiency of anti-retroviral drugs in the control of HIV/AIDS.
* Providing medication to HIV-positive pregnant women is morally and medically right and makes economic sense in terms of costs saved on treatment of HIV-positive children. * Providing medication to rape victims is morally and medically right.
* Access to treatment for the opportunistic disease related to HIV/AIDS like meningitis and oral thrush, etc. is a right to health that must be defended by all means.

On behalf of more than 230 000 members, pledge to support and participate with various stakeholders engaged in fighting HIV/AIDS in our country, the region and globally. The prevention and awareness campaign must go on until a cure is found, in the meantime, based on our 5th National Congress Special Resolution on HIV/AIDS and congress theme 'Taking a lead in building a better life for all' NEHAWU therefore commits itself to engage in campaigns that:

* Calls on Government to declare the HIV/AIDS pandemic a national disaster requiring extraordinary measures and resources.
* Calls for an end to scientific speculation we need to encourage ongoing scientific research to find a vaccine against HIV/AIDS on the basis that HIV is the medical cause of AIDS.
* Supports investigation of cheaper sources of medication; free treatment of opportunistic diseases such as TB, pneumonia etc;
* Implementation of a comprehensive strategy that seeks to strengthen and develop the capacity of our national health care system and supportive institutions such as hospices and orphanages to respond to the epidemic by providing more resources such as adequate medicines and addressing staff shortages.
* Encourage interaction at the provincial level with the respective government departments, NGO`s and CBO`s and such must include workshops, prevention, support and care strategies and mass communication with civics.
* Negotiate that employers contribute to the cost of treatment for workers with HIV/AIDS and abide by the Code of Practice on HIV/AIDS in terms of the Employment Equity Act.
* Since HIV/AIDS respects no geographical borders, trade unions, governments and employers throughout the region and the world must combine to tackle this major health crisis.
* To condemn pharmaceutical companies who put profit above people, since they deny poor and working people access to appropriate treatment for HIV and opportunistic diseases, thus deriving super profits out of this social disaster
* Dedicate a National Day of Action and the World Aids Day on HIV/AIDS for massive campaigns against the pandemic, this should include putting the transnational pharmaceutical companies on the spot.

For `My Health, Your Safety. Our Lives, NEHAWU Cares` and will fight until the end!