STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS 2004
'53 000 on ARVs by 2005'
Candace Freeman
21 May 2004
President Thabo Mbeki has pledged to have 53 000 HIV-positive South Africans on antiretroviral treatment by March 2005.
In addition to this, 113 health facilities will be fully operational to facilitate HIV/Aids treatment, the President said during his State of the Nation Address at the opening of the third democratic Parliament in Cape Town on Friday.
The government has already started with the implementation of its Comprehensive Plan on Care, Management and Treatment of HIV and Aids, aimed at providing antiretrovirals to people living with Aids in the public health sector.
The plan is also aimed at strengthening the country's national health system.
"At the same time, more impetus will be given to the Khomanani social mobilisation campaign as we intensify home-based care", Mbeki said.
"Clearly, the health programme straddles aspects such as the promotion of healthy lifestyles, encouraging changes in risky behaviour,
especially among the youth, and reduction of non-communicable causes of death such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension."
Mbeki added that the regulations on the pricing of medicines were now in effect, aimed at ensuring that South Africans had access to affordable, good quality medicine.
"We anticipate that by the end of this year the consumer will pay less for medicines at retail outlets", Mbeki said.
Source: BuaNews
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