US backs SA's fight against Aids
Mfengu yaMaMfengu
10 June 2005
The US government has thrown its weight behind South Africa's comprehensive plan for the management, care and treatment of HIV/Aids, with $89-million in funding for HIV-related programmes in SA in 2004/05 increased to $149-million for 2005/06.
Addressing the media at the start of the South African Aids Conference in Durban this week, US Ambassador Jendayi Frazer said her government was pleased to see the strides that had been made by the SA government in its attempts to fight Aids.
"President [George] Bush is happy with the progress that is being made in handling the Aids crisis here in South Africa. We are also happy to see that there is political will and government commitment to fight this disease," Frazer said.
Tabling a progress report on the first 12 months of the US government-sponsored President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief in South Africa, Frazer said that her government had, with the help of South Africa, provided
antiretroviral treatment to over 25 000 patients.
In addition, over 30 000 health workers had been trained and the plan had reached over 70 000 HIV-affected orphans and vulnerable children with targeted, community-based assistance.
Frazer revealed that the US government had spent US$89-million in funding HIV-related programmes in SA in 2004/05. This figure has been increased to $149-million for 2005/06.
"In the year 2004 we spent more than $241-million in HIV programmes throughout the world. This is twice as much than what all other donors combined, spent in HIV funding," Frazer said.
"I believe that we have a robust programme, but there is a need to do more and to do it faster."
Source: BuaNews
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