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Free anti-AIDS drug plan announced

    JOHANNESBURG

    Plans to distribute antiretroviral drugs free of charge to people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia's low-income bracket have been announced, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

    Research shows that the country is one of the poorest in the world, with 44 percent of its population living below the poverty line.

    The country's Ministry of Health said in a statement: "Preparation is underway to enable people who cannot afford [the drugs] and [are] certified as HIV/AIDS positive [to] get access to antiretroviral drugs free of charge."

    Ethiopia has a population of about 70 million people, of which some 2.2 million are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS.

    "Trained personnel will be engaged in screening those [from the low-income bracket] seeking free medications," the statement added.

    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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