More free anti-AIDS drugs announced

ZAMBIA: More free anti-AIDS drugs announced

JOHANNESBURG, 19 Jan 2004 (PLUSNEWS) - Zambia has announced plans to provide free antiretroviral drugs to at least 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS by 2005.

In his recent state-of-the-nation address to parliament, President Levy Mwanawasa said 10,000 HIV-positive people were already benefiting from the government's previous free anti-AIDS drug programme.

Mwanawasa was quoted by Agence France-Presse (AFP) as saying: "This demonstrates our commitment to providing a whole continuum of treatment, care and support to people living with HIV/AIDS."

Research shows that in Zambia, where the majority of people earn less than a dollar per day, anti-AIDS drugs still sell for about US $200 per person per month.

[ENDS]

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