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Reserve Bank backs govt on AIDS

    JOHANNESBURG

    Zimbabwe's Ministry of Health confirmed on Thursday that it would be receiving US$1 million a month from the country's Reserve Bank for procuring essential medicines, including antiretroviral (ARV) drugs.

    "This new pledge will go a long way in ensuring an increased rollout of not just ARVs, but treatments for other serious illness as well," said Health and Child Welfare Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa.

    He told PlusNews that the funds were for an initial period of 12 months, but discussions on increased and extended financial backing were underway between the Ministry and Bank officials.

    The government announced plans to have 70,000 people on ARVs by the end of this year, but has been struggling to achieve this in the wake of sanctions imposed by donors who disagreed with President Robert Mugabe's land-reform policies, and reports of violence and intimidation during the 2000 and 2002 elections.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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