More treatment announced for HIV-positive people

Mozambique has announced plans to make antiretroviral treatment available to a greater number of HIV-positive people. Minister of Health Francisco Songane told reporters at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that the move could raise the current number of people receiving medication from 2,120 to about 7,000 during 2004. Research shows that some 1.5 million Mozambicans are HIV-positive, with around 120,000 already ill or in need of immediate treatment. Songane said he was optimistic because, as the cost of generic drugs fell, more people would be able to access the medicines.