US pledges millions for HIV/Aids treatment in SA

12 July 2016 - 09:54 By Reuters

The US yesterday pledged $410-million towards ending the Aids epidemic in South Africa. South Africa has the world's largest population of people living with HIV, at 6.8 million, and the funds will help expand its antiretroviral programme, which provides treatment to more than 3 million patients.The country experienced 180000 Aids-related deaths last year, according to the UN. Its prevalence rate of HIV among adults, at 19%, is one of the highest in the world.The funds were donated through the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, which also supports projects to encourage male circumcision and to reduce new HIV infections in girls and young women.Delegates are expected to discuss the ambitious target, proposed by the UN, of ending Aids as a global health crisis by 2030 at the International Aids Conference to be held in Durban next week.Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said while the government took on a larger share of the financial burden of HIV treatment and prevention, it also depended on international support. ..

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