Huge resources availed to HIV/AIDS spending

South Africa's cabinet has noted the allocation of increased resources, announced on Wednesday by Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, for the provision of HIV/AIDS drugs in the public health sector. The country is set to almost quadruple its spending on HIV/AIDS, a move analysts have said signals a major shift in the political will to fight the pandemic ravaging the country. In his recent medium-term budget policy statement in parliament, the finance minister said total expenditure on HIV/AIDS treatment could exceed the estimated US $434 million spent from 2001/02 to the current 2003/04 financial year, with an additional $583 million allocated for 2005/06 and close to $700 million for 2006/07. Manuel was quoted by Reuters as saying: "Starting next year, and [for] ... two successive years, the amounts have been increased. I think we are talking about a total of $1.7 billion." The cabinet is still considering the national anti-AIDS drug plan, submitted at the end of September, but doctors have called for a quick rollout.