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SA vows to treat babies with HIV | SA vows to treat babies with HIV |
(10 minutes later) | |
All South African babies under the age of one with be treated if they test HIV positive, President Jacob Zuma has announced in a major policy overhaul. | All South African babies under the age of one with be treated if they test HIV positive, President Jacob Zuma has announced in a major policy overhaul. |
In a speech to mark World Aids Day, he said he hoped anti-retroviral drugs would save infants' lives. | In a speech to mark World Aids Day, he said he hoped anti-retroviral drugs would save infants' lives. |
And he announced he was preparing to take an HIV test himself. | And he announced he was preparing to take an HIV test himself. |
The government estimates 5.5 million people live with the disease - the highest rate in the world - and 59,000 babies are born infected each year. | The government estimates 5.5 million people live with the disease - the highest rate in the world - and 59,000 babies are born infected each year. |
The US has announced it will give $120m (£73m) to help fight HIV/Aids. | The US has announced it will give $120m (£73m) to help fight HIV/Aids. |
Currently, treatment in South Africa is available only if tests show low levels of immunity. | Currently, treatment in South Africa is available only if tests show low levels of immunity. |
'Era of openness' | |
Mr Zuma's speech is a marked departure from his predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, whose government denied the link between HIV and Aids. | |
I have taken HIV tests before, and I know my status Jacob Zuma South African troops in HIV fight | |
Mr Mbeki's critics have accused him of causing 300,000 deaths by not rolling out anti-retroviral drugs to people with Aids. | Mr Mbeki's critics have accused him of causing 300,000 deaths by not rolling out anti-retroviral drugs to people with Aids. |
Mr Zuma announced in his speech that the drugs would be available more widely to children and pregnant women. | |
He described it as the start of "an era of openness" and urged South Africans to take responsibility for themselves. | |
"I am making arrangements for my own test," he told crowds in Pretoria. | "I am making arrangements for my own test," he told crowds in Pretoria. |
"I have taken HIV tests before, and I know my status. I will do another test soon as part of this new campaign. I urge you to start planning for your own tests." | "I have taken HIV tests before, and I know my status. I will do another test soon as part of this new campaign. I urge you to start planning for your own tests." |
He said the measures would come into force in April next year. | He said the measures would come into force in April next year. |