SWAZILAND: Global Fund ARV suspension lifted

The Global Fund on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has lifted its three-month suspension of providing free antiretroviral (ARV) drugs in Swaziland.

The Fund stopped supplying anti-AIDS medicines in October 2005, demanding that proper mechanisms be implemented to monitor the distribution of the life-prolonging drugs.

Swaziland's Network of People living with AIDS (SWANEPA) welcomed the resumed distribution, as a number of HIV-positive people were affected by the suspension when hospitals and clinics experienced drug shortages.

SWANEPA member Vusi Matsebula was quoted as saying by ANDnetwork, an online African news service, "As people living with the virus we ... thank the Global Fund for giving us hope that we'll be able to live longer and be productive in society."

Theme (s): Care/Treatment - PlusNews,

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