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ZAMBIA: People urged to use free AIDS drugs

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]

JOHANNESBURG, 27 August (PLUSNEWS) - Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has urged people living with HIV/AIDS to make use of anti-AIDS drugs, which are freely available at healthcare sites throughout the country.

Mwanawasa was quoted by a local newspaper, The Times of Zambia, as saying: "The answer does not lie in sitting back with your disease but in presenting your case to authorities ... so that you can get treatment." He noted that antiretroviral treatment would improve their health.

An estimated 10,000 people currently have access to anti-AIDS treatment, but with support from the World Health Organisation, Zambia plans to scale up its AIDS drug provision programme to cater for 100,000 people by 2005.

[ENDS]

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