LAGOS, Dec 23 (AFP) - Nigeria will dispense free anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs to HIV/AIDS patients from January next year, the government announced on Friday.
With about 3.5 million sufferers, Nigeria has the world's third-highest population of people with HIV/AIDS after India and South Africa.
Free distribution of drugs that help control the symptoms was a "Christmas present" to those living with the virus, the health ministry said in a statement.
"President Olusegun Obasanjo confirmed it yesterday by validating a ministry of health proposal on free ARV," said presidential spokesman Remi Oyo.
"It means delivering free treatment to HIV/AIDS victims who come for treatment in federal health institutions."
The government will also waive a monthly contribution of 1,000 nairas (six euros, seven dollars) which patients selected for the anti-retroviral programme were expected to pay.
Many patients could not afford the contribution, leading to gaps in their treatment.
The measure benefiting about 100,000 patients is expected to cost the government 11 million dollars.
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