BBC: S.A. getting serious on HIV/AIDS

[Fencer128]

Hi,

This story tells how South Africa is almost quadrupling it's AIDS/HIV spending over the next year. I guess it's no coincidence that this happens shortly after the drug companies find ways of improving the efficiency of HIV drug manufacture --> lower prices.

South Africa is to almost quadruple its spending on tackling HIV/Aids.

Signalling a major new effort against the devastating disease, the government will spend 12.1bn rand ($1.7bn; £1.04bn) over the next three years.

This will include the national roll-out of key anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs.

The additional funding, compared to the estimated 3.3bn rand spent between 2001/2002 and 2003/2004, could signal a major shift in the ANC government's political will to fight Aids.

Cheers,

Andy

 

[lozina]

Does that include funding to educate people as well as buy drugs? If it's all going to drugs I don't think it will help much.

 

[Fencer128]

Originally posted by: lozina
Does that include funding to educate people as well as buy drugs? If it's all going to drugs I don't think it will help much.

I guess that drug purchasing is only a part of the spending. It does say "include" in the statement.

Cheers,

Andy