SA's move to adopt 'test and treat' HIV guidelines welcomed
The Treatment Action Campaign has welcomed the recent announcement that South Africa will adopt the test and treat guidelines for HIV patients as outlined by the World Health Organisation.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced during his budget speech in Parliament yesterday that Treasury has allocated an extra R1-billion to finance the programme.
It'll see patients getting on treatment as soon as they have been diagnosed, regardless of their CD4 count.
TAC General Secretary Anele Yawu says starting ARV treatment in the early stages of HIV has benefits.
"Chances of developing opportunistic infections and sexually transmitted infections irrespective of your HIV status are positive. It means that it will contribute positively on life expectancy and will also contribute positively in making sure we reduce the number of HIV-related deaths," he said.
He says however, in order to comply with the global response to HIV/AIDS - issues plaguing the public health sector need to be sorted out.
"Shortages of doctors, of nurses and drugs - there are these issues that need to be rectified so that we can be able to deliver on the need and the expectations," he said.
(File photo)