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Government's New HIV/AIDS and TB Policies

07 December, 2009 06:31:00 All4women

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South Africa is the country with the most people infected with HIV. On World AIDS Day (1 December), President Jacob Zuma announced the following changes that will take effect from April 2010:

All HIV positive children under 1 years old will receive treatment, regardless of their level of CD cells. This should cause a significant decline in deaths of infants.

Those with TB and HIV will get anti-retrovirals if their CD4 count is 350 or lower, rather than the current 200. TB and HIV/AIDS will be treated under one roof. This policy change is due to the deaths which result from undetected TB infection amongst those who are HIV positive.1% of South Africa's population has TB, and the co-infection between TB and HIV is 73%.

All pregnant HIV positive women with a CD4 count of 350 or with symptoms regardless of CD4 count will receive treatment. Currently HIV positive pregnant women receive treatment only if their CD4 count is less than 200.

All other HIV positive pregnant women will receive treatment at 14 weeks of pregnancy - at present they have to wait till the last term of pregnancy.

The National AIDS Helpline (0800-012-322) provides a confidential, anonymous 24-hour toll-free telephone counselling, information and referral service for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.

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Source: All4women

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Comments (3 posted):

Tiisetso Motloung on 09 December, 2009 10:32:40

We are gradually making goods strides in addressing HIV and would like to congratulate all the people who are involved in the fight against this terrible disease in insuring that good policies are developed and implemented.

Louise - Health Tip Editor on 08 December, 2009 07:55:41

The National AIDS Helpline (0800-012-322) provides a confidential, anonymous 24-hour toll-free telephone counselling, information and referral service for those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.
http://www.aidshelpline.org.za/default.aspx?link=site_home

savannah on 07 December, 2009 09:27:06

how do u cope with an awesome, beautiful 17 yr old who was infected at 2 yrs old. How do you cope with all the issues? No one even at childline is interested in helping with all the issues, nobody realised this wonderful person would reach this age; they do not care or help with any guidelines. (they are tooooooooo busy they say) - no psychologist / psychiatrist want to take on the responsibility. Too much for them tooooo cope with. Plse share your views with me or advise where are the people who can help with practical advice to cope with the extreme emotional, mental anguish that comes with this and how does a mom face the blame constantly thrown at her, she (the mom is at suicide level at present) etc etc etc.