BOTSWANA: Free HIV/AIDS drug project lauded

The third-largest drug manufacturer in the world has commended the success of Botswana's free HIV/AIDS drug programme, Associated Press (AP) reported on Wednesday.

The diamond-rich country is the first in Africa to commit to a widespread programme of providing HIV/AIDS drugs free of charge through its public health system.

Pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co said it was impressed by the drop in HIV prevalence rates among pregnant women from 36.2 percent in 2001 to 25.4 percent at present.

"Despite it being such a small change, this is still an encouraging sign," Merck and Co human health president, Per Wold-Olsen, said.

Botswana has set itself the target of ending all new HIV infections by 2016.

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews, Children, Other,

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