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UGANDA: Free AIDS treatment plan announced for new year

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

JOHANNESBURG, 3 December (PLUSNEWS) - From January 2004 Uganda could start offering free antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV/AIDS and in urgent need of treatment.

According to health minister Jim Muhwezi, Uganda would then be the second country in Africa, after Botswana, to give free HIV/AIDS treatment to its people.

The minister hinted that orphans, pregnant mothers and researchers would take precedence, with other groups being included over time.

Muhwezi was quoted by the local newspaper, New Vision, as saying: "Much depends on the prices of the drugs. We are initially giving these drugs to orphans and pregnant women so that we can stop transmission to their babies. Eventually, more people will be given the drugs as the prices continue to come down."

[ENDS]

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