Cost-sharing AIDS drug programme launched

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Cost-sharing AIDS drug programme launched

JOHANNESBURG, 25 Aug 2004 (PLUSNEWS) - The Central African Republic (CAR) is providing low cost anti-AIDS drugs over the next five years in an effort to improve the life expectancy of HIV-positive people and encourage voluntary HIV screening as a preventive strategy.

Health Minister Nestor-Mamadou Nali said during the launch of the treatment programme earlier this week that poor people would receive antiretrovirals free of charge, while low-income earners were expected to pay US $4 a month.

"This is keeping in line with the 'Bamako' [African healthcare] Initiative, which stresses community participation and low cost-sharing," Nali told the UN news service PlusNews.

The treatment programme has been made possible by a $25 million Global AIDS Fund grant, approved in April.

[ENDS]

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