HIV & TB Response

Disciplinary action withdrawn against Dr Colin Pfaff

The Kwazulu-Natal Department of Health has withdrawn its disciplinary action against Dr Colin Pfaff. The TAC welcomes this development.

See our previous statement on disciplinary action against Dr Pfaff.

We agree with Dr Francois Venter, president of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Society who said:

The Charges against Dr Colin Pfaff appear to have been completely withdrawn … after one of the largest health care worker campaigns ever seen in South Africa. This was a spontaneous outpouring of anger at the news that Colin was being disciplined for doing his ethical duty, implementing improved PMTCT regimens in a rural area. 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. We congratulate Colin and the AIDS Law Project for their contribution to South Africa.