NAMIBIA: Vigils for HIV/AIDS drugs

Namibia's AIDS Law Unit on Friday said a recent public gathering of people living with HIV/AIDS (PWAs) was an important step forward for the government to implement a national treatment plan.

HIV/AIDS NGOs for the first time on Tuesday held vigils throughout the country in a call for a treatment plan.

"This move was important for government to acknowledge the urgency of the HIV/AIDS pandemic," AIDS Law Unit attorney, Delme Cupido, told the UN news service PlusNews.

Cupido said the government must work more closely with NGOs to make a noticeable impact on the lives of PWAs.

The government recently announced that 13,000 PWAs will have access HIV/AIDS drugs by the end of 2006 through a grant by the UN Global AIDS Fund.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

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