South Africa 'to receive less HIV and AIDS funding'
28/01/2010
South Africa is set to receive significantly less money from outside sources to assist it in treating HIV and AIDS, it has been claimed.
Dr Roxanna Rogers, team leader for South Africa at USAID said that funding supplied by the US government is scheduled to be lowered significantly within the next five years, AllAfrica.com reported.
It quotes Ms Rogers as telling the attendees of a recent meeting in Cape Town that "there is not a friendly feeling in the US towards more funding for HIV and AIDS".
This is despite the country requiring more money to reach the number of people in need of antiretroviral drugs, she added.
Approximately one million South Africans are able to access lifelong treatment with these therapies and this figure could triple if current progress is maintained, according to the news provider.
The second National HIV and Aids 2009 survey showed that increasing numbers of South Africans believe that remaining faithful to their partner will serve to protect them against HIV, the Independent Online quoted the South African Press Association as reporting this week.
Written by Simon Bassett
