Charges against Dr Colin Pfaff dropped

This, after one of the largest campaigns by health care workers every seen in South Africa. In a letter to members of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society, Dr Francois Venter, writing on behalf of the Executive, said "The petty bureaucracy and lack of support of senior Department of Health officials towards coalface staff struck a deep cord with many of us."

A large petition, coordinated by Dr David Cameron, as well as letters, emails and meetings at multiple levels by the Rural Doctors Association, the Treatment Action Campaign, and the SA HIV Clinicians Society, seems to have paid off.

Dr Venter called for support, rather than interference, from managers in implementing the National Strategic Plan goals, particularly as the recent budget has provided more money for the provision of antiretroviral treatment.