"South Africa's Gauteng province to announce anti-AIDS drugs roll out"

The Gauteng Provincial Government is expected to announce within the next week, the rollout of antiretrovirals to save the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS in the province. This follows the meeting of the Gauteng AIDS Council in Johannesburg yesterday, which discussed the government's progress in preparing for the roll out.

The council comprises members drawn from a wide range of civil society organizations, including business, trade unions, traditional leaders and healers, faith-based communities, civic organisations and people living with HIV and AIDS. Following the discussions, the provincial government said it would further fine-tune the plan and thereafter release the details, including timeframes and the extent of the rollout. The meeting also addressed the issue of progress and challenges in the implementation of workplace AIDS programmes, with presentations by business, trade unions and the provincial government. A statement said while a survey showed that important steps had been taken, particularly by some big businesses in this regard, there was still a long way to go in ensuring the effective implementation of workplace HIV and AIDS programmes.

The council emphasised the importance of collaboration between the private sector, trade unions and government in mitigating the impact of HIV and AIDS on the economy and in promoting best practice in workplaces across the province."To further intensify efforts in this regard, a summit would be held later this year, to develop a common programme of action involving business, trade unions and the provincial government.

 

 

Issued by: GCIS (Government Communication and Information System)- BuaNews