Uganda to provide Nevirapine for all pregnant women

The Ugandan Health Ministry announced last week that it was considering a mandate that made it compulsory for all pregnant women to receive Nevirapine, a drug that could reduce vertical HIV/AIDS transmission by up to 50 percent. The 'Kampala Monitor' reported on Friday that because many women were reluctant to get tested for HIV/AIDS, it has been difficult for the government to get the drug to HIV-positive women. Director-General of Health Services Francis Omaswa, told the parliamentary committee on social services that the health ministry was working on a plan to administer the drug, which the government already provided free of charge, at all district hospitals. Omaswa also announced a plan to create a center for voluntary HIV/AIDS testing. The government has already implemented a Nevirapine training curriculum for graduate and undergraduate medical students at Makerere and Mbarara universities. The ministry, the report said, also planned to select a pharmacist to lead the National Medical Stores to ensure that the drug was not smuggled to other countries where it can be sold for high prices.