South Africa's National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NAPWA) on Wednesday welcomed a recent cabinet decision to make antiretroviral treatment available in the public health sector.
Following a day-long special cabinet meeting late last week, the government proposed a September deadline for the development of an operational drug rollout plan.
NAPWA said it was "thrilled" that government had endorsed the need for the use of HIV/AIDS treatment in public hospitals.
"This new initiative brings hope to all those affected by, and living with, HIV or AIDS," the group said in a statement.
With an estimated 600 people in South Africa dying of AIDS-related illnesses each day, NAPWA hoped the plan would soon be translated into action.
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