Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - November 16, 2006
Spokesperson Geralda Winkler said officials in the programme have been undergoing extensive training by the department's skills development unit.
"Training consists of issues on patient flow, use of ARV [antiretroviral] medication, its side effects, barriers and solutions."
Campaigns promoting ARV awareness took place Kroonstad, Smithfield, Edenburg, Zastron, Hoopstad, Ladybrand, Botshabelo and Bethlehem from March to June.
The procedure for patients to follow in order to obtain treatment is outlined in the province's Comprehensive Care, Management and Treatment Plan.
It includes diagnosis, counselling, further testing to determine a patient's CD4 count, and referral to a treatment site for drug-readiness training.
"Not everybody who is HIV-positive needs ARV treatment. Our community should understand that depending on your lifestyle, one could live a full and productive life for many years without ARV medication," said Winkler in a statement.
"The decision on whether you need ARVs is based on clinical assessment, including CD4 count. ARV treatment will be provided to patients who have a CD4 count of less than 200."
Treatment sites include the Bongani hospital in Welkom, the Mohau hospital in Hoopstad, the National hospital in Bloemfontein, the Botshabelo hospital, the Bophelong clinic in Petrusburg and the Lesedi hospital in Kroonstad.
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