Zimbabwe Allocates $830,000 To Purchase ARVs

The Zimbabwean government has allocated about $830,000 to purchase antiretroviral drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS in the country, Owen Mugurungi, head of the AIDS and TB unit in the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, said on Wednesday, Xinhuanet reports. Speaking during a Southern Africa HIV and AIDS Information Dissemination Service forum on universal access to treatment in Zimbabwe, Mugurungi said the drugs would benefit at least 25,000 HIV-positive people currently on antiretroviral therapy. He added that access to HIV/AIDS treatment in the country is hindered by a lack of financial resources, medical professionals and space for the construction of new hospitals. SAFAIDS called on the international community to provide funding to Zimbabwe to help the country deal with the epidemic. About 1.5 million people in Zimbabwe are living with HIV/AIDS, Xinhuanet reports (Xinhuanet, 2/22).