Free ARVs regardless of income status

ETHIOPIA: Free ARVs regardless of income status

JOHANNESBURG, 5 Oct 2005 (PLUSNEWS) - Ethiopia announced on Tuesday that it is to provide free antiretrovirals (ARVs) to all people, regardless of their income status.

A German news agency, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, quoted the country's Health Ministry as saying, "Preparations are under way to enable people who cannot afford the drugs and certified as HIV-positive to access ARVs free of charge."

According to the Ministry, clearance has already been given to selected hospitals and rural healthcare centres to administer the drugs, based on the clinical eligibility of person seeking treatment.

With the support of UNAIDS, 9,000 of Ethiopia's 1.5 million HIV positive people can now access free ARVs at 60 health centres in the government's rollout programme.

[ENDS]

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