Dr. Albu van Eeden
Dr. Albertus van Eeden holds a B.Med. Sci. (1978) and a M.B.CH.B (1982) degree
from the University of Pretoria. He worked as a Medical Officer at the Boitumelo
Hospital, Kroonstad, the Montebello Hospital, Fawn Leas, and the Benedictine Hospital,
Nongoma. He also held the position of Acting Superintendent at Umpumulo Hospital.
Since then he has been practising as a General Practitioner and District Surgeon
in Kranskop.
He gained experience in developing a primary health care system for the local
community and became involved with the AIDS epidemic, and its ramifications for
the rural community. For the past 15 years Doctor van Eeden has been committed
to the counselling and the rehabilitation of drug addicts, people suffering with
anorexia, bulimia, depression, schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions,
in conjunction with a local mission.
Dr van Eeden is the Founder Member and Chief Executive Officer of Doctors For
Life (DFL) SA, an organisation of approximately 700 Doctors, Specialists and Professors
of Medicine from Medical Faculties across South Africa. During the 1990ís DFL
became a role player in shaping national policy on Abortion, Euthanasia, HIV/AIDS,
Prostitution, and illicit Drugs.
Dr van Eeden initiated one of the first Home Based Care projects for AIDS patients
and their families in South Africa. He has consequently been
asked to assist in drafting a manual to train Home Based Carers in South Africa
by the World Health Organisation of Sub-Saharan Africa. He developed an Industrial
AIDS programme which is based on the building of family values amongst industrial
workers. This programme has been evaluated by an independent research body of
the Medical University of South Africa. He has also served as a consultant to
the Minister of Health and the World Health Organisation on a Presidential commission
to formulate national AIDS policy during the transition in South Africa.
Dr van Eeden has submitted evidence on behalf of the Attorney General in a recent
case involving an attempt to legalise prostitution in South Africa, which motion
was defeated. He has represented DFL at several Parliamentary hearings and has
addressed the Kwazulu Natal Parliament on, inter alia, resisting the formulation
and implementation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1996 (the Abortion
law).
He is the author of the book: "Drugs - Facts, arguments and practical advice".
Dr van Eeden has traveled widely addressing over 100 000 young people, educators,
and others on the subjects of Drugs and HIV/AIDS. He has spoken on the drug and
drug addiction problem in Switzerland, Germany, Holland, the Netherlands, France,
the United States, Mozambique, Lesotho and Namibia. He has appeared on national
and cable TV magazine and talk show programs, and as a guest speaker on national
and community radio stations. Dr van Eeden has been quoted by numerous national
print media including The Daily News, The Sunday Times, The Rapport, The Cape
Argus, Mail & Guardian, Die Burger, etc.
Dr van Eeden has been asked by the Department of Justice to submit a paper with
recommendations to assist Government in the implementation of the National Drug
Master Plan. He has also submitted evidence to the Constitutional Court, again
at the request of the Attorney General, in a matter involving an attempt to legalise
Marijuana in South Africa.
been
asked to assist in drafting a manual to train Home Based Carers in South Africa
by the World Health Organisation of Sub-Saharan Africa. He developed an Industrial
AIDS programme which is based on the building of family values amongst industrial
workers. This programme has been evaluated by an independent research body of
the Medical University of South Africa. He has also served as a consultant to
the Minister of Health and the World Health Organisation on a Presidential commission
to formulate national AIDS policy during the transition in South Africa.