THE GOVERNMENT CLINCHES A DEAL TO HELP AIDS PATIENTS
	The minister of health and social welfare Dr.Pont'so Sekatle signed a contract with Pfizer,an American pharmaceutical company,for the supply of a drug that cures AIDS related ailments by HIV sufferers. The drug Diflucan,is an anti-fungal drug which is highly effective on Cryptococcal meningitis(an infection of the lining of the brain and spinal chord)and Oesophagul Candidiasis(an infection that causes sores from the mouth and throughout the alimentary canal).The two diseases together with TB are opportunistic infections that attack people living with  HIV and those with fully blown AIDS.In an interview with Dr.'Molotsi Monyamame,one of the facilitators of this project,it was disclosed that Diflucan is going to be made available at all health facilities around the country free of charge.However,Dr.Monyamane also reiterated that doctors,nurses and pharmacists have to undergo training to be provided by Pfizer on how to diagnose and dispense the drug to patients. With the statistics soaring from one AIDS case reported in 1986 to about 4,000 cases reported to date,it is clear that the provision of free Diflucan will save the Government millions of Maluti as a daily dosage of the drug fetches around M180.00 on the market. Mr.Imraan Munshi,on behalf of Pfizer said the have provided the Government with a long-term contract and that theirs is an act of social responsibility.Diflucan is also provided for free in several SADC countries including South Africa,Botswana,Swaziland,and Namibia.An independent firm will also be commissioned to ensure that the free drug is not dispensed at a price in private clinics. The ministry of health is also engaged in negotiations with other companies for the provision of other AIDS drugs such as AZT and Nevarapine.The two drugs are currently at the centre of controversy in the neigbouring South Africa.The drugs have been endorsed by a number of medical research institutions around the world including the World Health Organisation(WHO) and have subsequently been approved for use in Lesotho.
	SOURCE:  Government Website