Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) - March 19, 2004
Rapule Tabane
On Tuesday, after Gauteng announced its roll-out of anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment, the health minister held a telephone conference with all the provincial health ministers to ask the rest of the provinces about their readiness.
Tshabalala-Msimang's spokesperson, Sbani Mngadi, told the Mail & Guardian that provinces were at different stages of readiness. "We will support all provinces to ensure that services are available at all 53 service points," Mngadi said.
The health minister's response to Gauteng's initiative contrasted with her reaction in 2001, when Gauteng announced it would roll out a mother-to-child transmission prevention programme. Backed by the African National Congress, she publicly accused the province of jumping the gun.
Tshabalala-Msimang is under pressure after she said that ARVs would only be available in the public health system from June, because the tender process for anti-retroviral treatment is not complete. The government's target had been March 31.
Three weeks ago Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa told a Treatment Action Campaign meeting in Johannesburg that the province would announce a roll-out soon.
Gauteng provincial health minister Gwen Ramokgopa followed up this week, announcing that the province will start a comprehensive treatment and care plan at five sites from next month and that R90-million had been set aside for this in the coming year.
The plan provides for treatment of about 100 new cases per week for the first two to three months, expanding to reach 10 000 people by the end of March next year.
KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape have also started the comprehensive treatment. North West is likely to be next, followed by the Northern Cape.
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