Dr. Phooko said the roll- out answers governments  commitment to treating 28,000 HIV infected people by the year 2005 and also is also part of the World Health Organisation (WHO) 3 by 5 initiative, which aims at treating 3 million people infected by HIV worldwide by the year 2005.

"The objective is to extend the roll-out of Antiretroviral to all the districts in the country,  especially the mountains districts which have been marginalized in delivery of most of the services,' Dr. Phooko said.

The Minister expressed his appreciation to the Global Fund partners for their support in making this objective a reality. Other partners included Columbia University, which will assist with Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMCT plus), and Boston University to help in capacity building of health professionals in the area of HIV/AIDS.

While in Toronto, Canada last week, Dr Phooko was also able to get the assistance of three medical doctors and three experts on HIV/AIDS to assist in the roll out of ARVs at Leribe hospital.

Leribe and Mafeteng are the second and third centres to offer ARV therapy. The first was Senkatana, funded by Bristol Meyers Squibb.

24 November 2004