Over 500 Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) members gathered at the Johannesburg City Hall yesterday to attend the organisation's public meeting on the roll-out of antiretroviral drugs to HIV/Aids infected people.

The meeting - known as the People's Aids Forum - is to be addressed by Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa, the TAC's Mark Heywood and representatives from health workers and faith movement.

At the meeting the TAC would explain the government's plan to roll out the Aids drugs, and the part that civil society could play in fighting against the stigma and discrimination of those with HIV/Aids.

A TAC video presentation, containing footage of the organisation's members and leaders urging the government to provide Aids drugs soon, was played at the beginning of the meeting.

Heywood is expected to give an overview of the national and Gauteng government's HIV/Aids treatment plans.

In November last year, the government approved and published an "operation plan" to provide antiretroviral drugs to people with HIV/Aids.

The plan aims to prevent over 1,5-million people dying from Aids by 2008 by providing them with the treatment. – Sapa.