Institutions identified as new distribution sites are Sebokeng Hospital, Carletonville Hospital, Hillbrow Hospital, Discoverer Clinic, Lilian Ngoyi Clinic and Zola Clinic.
A statement released by the department yesterday said it had succesfully introduced ARV treatment for Aids sufferers in 12 hospitals throughout the province.
"This is in line with the department's plan to have 23 sites providing anti-retroviral treatment by March 2005," it said.
In the first leg of the rollout campaign in April this year, Johannesburg General, Chris Hani-Baragwanath, Helen Joseph, Coronation and Kalafong hospitals began providing the treatment.
George Mukhari, Pretoria Academic, Natalspruit, Leratong, Far East Rand, Tembisa and Kopanong Hospitals followed suit in July.
"The total number of patients that have been seen at the hospitals for ARV treatment since the roll out of the first phase in April 11, is 18 883.
"Of that number, 4536 actually met the criterion and began receiving the treatment," said the department.
ARV treatment is only made available to HIV and Aids sufferers with a CD4 count of 200 and below or who have the symptoms of Aids.
"Patients that did not meet the treatment readiness criteria have been referred back to their local clinics, with detailed letters which include reasons for deferment of ARV treatment and possible solutions to enable treatment uptake at a later stage," explained the department.
"These include people with a CD4 count above 200 and those that have symptoms of Aids. The range of interventions available for this group includes counselling and psycho-social support, encouraging healthy lifestyle and provision of nutritional support," it said.
The rollout forms part of national governments Comprehensive Plan for the Management, Care and Treatment of Aids, implemented after approval by Cabinet last year. – BuaNews.
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