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UN official lauds SA AIDS decision

    JOHANNESBURG

    UNAIDS executive director, Peter Piot, on Monday welcomed South Africa's decision to provide a national treatment plan for people living with HIV/AIDS.

    Following a day-long special cabinet meeting at the weekend, the government proposed a September deadline for the development of an operational drug rollout plan.

    In a statement issued in Geneva, Piot said the country's response to HIV/AIDS was now entering a critical new phase, characterised by strong political commitment.

    Piot said: "The decision by President Mbeki and his cabinet exemplifies the leadership needed to reverse the global HIV/AIDS epidemic."

    He also commended the efforts of South Africans living with HIV/AIDS in bringing about the national treatment plan, adding that the UN system was ready to provide support to the government as it develops and implements the initiative.

    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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