To show outsiders that popular perceptions of the subcontinent are largely myth and that action is taking place, progress has to be made in Zimbabwe. The president of the WEF, Klaus Schwab, forcefully told the two Zimbabweans that if no progress was registered, business confidence would suffer further. There was a lot more talk about prevention and care. A number of participants, though, underscored the idea that lack of health infrastructure meant that the recent willingness of the pharmaceutical companies to provide cheaper antiretrovirals could not be seized. Outside of the major cities, there are not many hospitals or clinics that are in a position to supervise these treatments.
Governments just lack the resources to manage the crisis.
Companies cannot afford to lose skilled employees and are having to provide antiretrovirals. One issue discussed in the sessions is what sort of tax incentives companies might receive for doing so. Though the term MAP flowed off people's lips easily and regularly, there was frustration about the continuing delay in its public release and the lack of detail. Deputy President Jacob Zuma spoke about the plan being implemented soon after it is presented to the Organisation of African Unity next month. This was a missed opportunity to present the plan to the world.